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Scott,  Anna  M.  Steele 
Day  dawn  in  Africa 


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V 


COME    OVER   AND    HELP   US. 
Into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature."— St.  Mark  16  :  1' 


lajr  gmtm  in  gifrka; 


OR, 


PROGRESS  OF  THE  PROT.  EPIS.  MISSION 


CAPE  PALMAS,  WEST   AFRICA. 


BY     MRS.      ^iN-INTA.     M!.'    SCOTT. 


"  The  beams  that  shine  from  Zion's  hill 
Shall  lighten  every  land  ; 
The  King  who  reigns  in  Salem's  towers 
Shall  all  the  world  command." 


PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    SOCIETY    FOR   TnE    PROMOTION    OP    EVAN- 

GELICAL    KNOWLEDGE. 

11     BIBLTC    HOUSE,     A  STOP.     PLACE. 

1858. 


ft   4 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S58, 

By  HUGH   ROY   SCOTT, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 

Southern  District  of  New- York. 


JonN  A.  Gray,  Printer  and  Stereotypes, 

16  &  13  Jacob  St.,  Fire-Proof  Buildings. 


CONTEN 


CHAPTER  I. 

PACK 

Consecration  of  the  first  Bishop  of  the  Cape  Palmas  Mission,  in 
1851 — Summary  of  the  work  accomplished  previous  to  that 
time — The  Cavalla  Home  described 11 

CHAPTER  II. 

Return  of  the  Bishop  to  Africa — Enlargement  of  the  Mission  plan- 
ned— Brief  account  of  the  African  Colonies,  and  their  early 
connection  with  our  Mission — Sierra  Leone — Liberia — Present 
and  future  prospects  of  the  Colonies, 19 

CHAPTER  III. 

Establishment  of  the  first  paper  and  printing-press — Return  of  Ku 
Sia  and  Bldl  Wah,  (native  pupils,)  to  the  Mission — Departure 
of  Rev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hening  for  the  United  States,  and  sickness 
and  death  among  the  other  Missionaries — First  Confirmation 
in  the  Mission — Consecration  of  St.  Mark's,  the  first  Colonial 
Church  —  Enlargement  of  the  Mission  —  Reopening  of  the 
Taboo  Station,  under  interesting  circumstances — The  Bishop's 
Report  for  the  year  1853, 33 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Habits  of  the  Grebo  People — Houses,  furniture — Towns — Farms — 
Bathing  and  anointing  —  Kroomen  —  Polygamy  —  Treatment 
of  wives  and  children — Hospitality — Appearance  of  the  Peo- 
ple— Their  dress — Food  and  drink — Cheerfulness — Fondness 
for  fables — Boat  songs — Produce — Division  of  families — Pro- 
perty— Government — Short  account  of  tho  Grebo  People,  by 
Bishop  Payne — "  Kwi  iru," 45 

CHAPTER  V. 

Superstitions  of  the  People  —  Description  of  "  Bldl  Xylma,"  or 
"Grand  Devil" — Witchcraft  and  its  origin — Their  ideas   of 


IV  CONTENTS. 

PAOB 

death — Gidii,  or  sassa  wood  ordeal — Triumph  of  those  who 
escape  death — Singular  manner  of  pointing  out  a  criminal — 
Deydbo,  or  fetish  men — How  trained —  Gree-grees,  or  idols,  de- 
scribed— Amusing  superstitions — Secreting  the  sick — Descrip- 
tion of  the  " Kivi"  or  devils — Transmigration  of  souls — Invo- 
cation of  the  dead — Messages  sent  to  the  spirit  world — De- 
scription of  the  burial  of  a  king — Their  dread  of  death, 68 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Awakening  in  the  heathen  towns — Conversion  of  Byano,  an  aged 
deyd,  or  demon  man — Baptism  of  Hyano  and  Gidawudi,  young 
converts  from  heathenism — Account  of  the  Christian  supper 
preceding  each  communion — Description  of  the  Christian  vil- 
lage— History  of  Tuwa,  an  aged  female  convert — The  Christ- 
ian Church  of  five  in  the  heathen  town  of  Nyaro, 81 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Petty  annoyances  of  Missionary  life — The  African  study — Looking 
a  hobo  hai — "  Dashes  " — Amusing  visit  to  a  native  Governor 
— Massacre  of  the  crew  of  the  ship  Heroine  —  Rescue  of 
one  of  the  number,  now  a  member  of  the  Mission, 95 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Ordination  of  native  deacons — Ordination  of  Rev.  G.  "W.  Gibson,  a 
colonist — Arrival  of  eight  Missionaries — death  of  one  of  the 
number — Tours  into  the  interior,  by  one  of  the  native  dea- 
cons— Scenery  on  the  Cavalla  river — Sinoe — Description  of 
Bassa  Cove — Clay-Ashland — Death  of  the  Missionary  Phy- 
sician,    113 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Ordination  of  Messrs  Pinckney  and  Green,  (Colonists) — Religious 
interest  at  Cape  Palmas — Sickness  among  the  Colonists — Blind 
old  Rachel,  her  happy  death — Letter  from  Monrovia — A  Let- 
ter from  Rev.  R.  Smith — Death  of  a  Missionary  at  Rocktown,  129 

CHAPTER  X. 

Removal  of  Rev.  Mr.  Rambo  to  the  new  Station  at  Bassa  Cove — 
Opening  of  the  Orphan  Asylum  at  Cape  Palmas,  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Scott — Successful  labors  of  the  native  deacons  at  the  Cape — 
Extracts  from  the  journal  of  Rev  R.  Smith 140 


CONTENTS.  V 

CHAPTER  XL  PA0B 

Description  of  Mt.  Vaughan,  tho  first  home  of  the  Missionaries — 
The  High  School — Beautiful  road— Reopening  of  the  Mission 
Station  at  Rockbookah — Death  of  another  Missionary,  Rev.  R. 
Smith — Return  of  Missionaries  to  the  Mission — Native  Female 
Boarding-School  at  Cavalla — Review  of  the  work  in  the  hea- 
then towns 155 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Interesting  Convocation  of  August,  1855 — Reports  from  the  Grebo, 
Babo,  and  Plabo  teachers — Reports  of  the  Foreign  Mission- 
aries,     177 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Description  of  the  Orphan  Asylum  at  Cape  Pahnas — Death  of  a 
Missionary  at  Bassa  Cove,  Mrs.  Rambo — Reports  of  the  native 
ministers, 190 

CHAPTER  XIY. 

History  of  tho  little  slave,  Seiko — Mlede — Conversion  of  a  deyd  at 
Taboo — Opening  of  a  new  Station  on  the  Cavalla  river,  in  the 
Babo  tribe — Rocktown  and  Fair  Haven — Address  of  a  native 
Governor — Review  of  the  year  1855, 208 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Incidents  of  Missionary  life — Ordination — Ude — A  new  way  to  re- 
lease prisoners — "Prisoner  palaver  " — Death  of  a  Missionary, 
Mrs.  V.  H.  Hoffman, 224 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Thanksgiving  day  in  Africa — A  faithful  convert — Increasing  ef- 
ficiency .of  native  laborers — Tours  into  the  interior — Loss  of 
a  female  teacher  at  the  Orphan  Asylum, 235 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Visitation  of  the  Bishop  to  Monrovia,  Sinoo,  Bassa  Cove,  and  other 
remote  Stations  of  the  Mission — Description  of  Bassa  Cove, 
and  tho  beautiful  Dja  mountain — Lower  Buchanan — Rev.  Mr. 
Russell's  Station,  Clay-Ashland — Arrival  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hol- 
comb  from  the  United  States — Description  of  tho  Bassa  tribe 
— Tour  to  the  St.  John,  or  Dja  mountain — Proposition  to  open 
there  a  new  central  station, 249 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVIII.  page 

Rumor  of  war  between  the  colonists  and  natives—  Conversion  of 
many  of  the  children  at  the  Orphan  Asylum — Interesting  de- 
tails—Candidates for  confirmation — Outbreak  at  Cape  Palmas 
— War  between  the  colonists  and  natives — Burning  of  the  na- 
tive towns  at  Cape  Palmas — Burning  of  Mt.  Vaughan, 261 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Further  details  of  the  war — Progress  of  the  work  in  the  Mission 
— Peace  declared  —  The  Ma^'land  Colony  at  Cape  Palmas 
united  to  the  Republic  of  Liberia — Mission  work  among  the 
natives  at  the  Cape  resumed — Unusual  prosperity  of  the  Mis- 
sion Schools  and  Churches — "War  overruled  for  good— A  Let- 
ter from  a  native  African,  recently  converted  -  Demolition  of 
idols 27-4 

CHAPTER  XX. 

The  field  widening — A  new  Mission  Station  opened  in  the  interior, 
(at  Mt.  Netea) — Interesting  letter  from  the  native  catechist 
stationed  there — Account  of  the  Bishop's  tour  up  the  Ca valla, 
to  Mt.  Netea — Appeal  for  more  Missionaries, 291 


PREFACE. 


The  design  of  this  little  work  is  to  make  known  to  the  reading 
public  the  present  highly  encouraging  state  of  one  of  the  most 
interesting  and  important  Missions  of  our  day. 

It  was  undertaken  with  the  conviction,  that  the  way  "  to  im- 
bue Christian  men  with  the  missionary  spirit,  is  to  acquaint 
them  with  the  missionary  enterprise  ;"  and  that  the  interest  felt 
in  the  missionary  work  must  very  much  depend  upon  a  know- 
lodge  of  its  details  and  progress. 

The  history  of  the  first  years  of  our  Mission,*  (beginning  with 
its  establishment  in  1836,)  has  already  been  given  to  the  world 
by  one  of  its  members,  who  has  faithfully  and  ably  described  the 
night  of  patient  toil  and  suffering.  Ours  is  the  pleasant  task  to 
tell  of  the  day  dawn  which  is  now  stealing  over  the  borders  of 
this  large,  dark,  and  mysterious  continent. 

From  the  interesting  reports  given  by  our  fellow-laborers,  and 
from  scenes  which  we  ourselves  have  witnessed,  we  have  prepared 
this  volume,  with  the  hope  that  it  will  be  blessed  by  God  to  the 
stirring  up  of  the  careless,  to  the  encouragement  of  the  despond- 
ing, and  to  the  increased  gratitude  of  the  Church. 

As  our  object  is  history,  not  biography,  the  obituaries  of  de- 
ceased missionaries  have  been  necessarily  brief.  This  history 
embraccs  the  last  six  years,  beginning  with  the  consecration  of 
Bishop  Payne,  in  1851.  During  these  years  the  progress  in  the 
Mission  has  been  unusually  encouraging.  Those  who  so  long 
"sowed  in  tears,"  have  now  begun  to  "reap  in  joy." 

Another  object  in  presenting  this  record  to  the  public  at  pre- 
sent, is  to  solicit  assistance.     The  field  is  now  white  for  the  liar- 

*  History  of  the  P.  E.  Mission  in  Western  Africa,  by  Mrs.  E.  F.  Hening. 


Vlll  PllKFACK 

vest,  but  the  laborers  are  very  few ;  and  those  in  the  field  are 
now  bending  beneath  their  heavy  burdens.  When  compelled  by 
sickness  to  leave,  for  a  season,  our  beloved  Mission,  there  remained 
but  three  ordained  Foreign  Missionaries  to  minister  to  thousands 
of  heathen  souls.  We  need,  at  once,  more  regular  missionaries,  a 
physician,  male  and  female  teachers,  and  catechists.  We  appeal 
for  help  from  among  the  many  thousands  in  our  Church,  who 
profess  to  be  followers  of  Him  whose  last  command  was :  "  Go 
ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature." 
For  His  sake,  we  beg,  let  not  the  earnest  cry  of  heathen  Africa, 
"  Come  over  and  help  us,"  go  unheeded. 

"It  comes  from  a  land  where  a  beautiful  light 
Is  slow  creeping  o'er  hill-top  and  vale  ; 
Where  broad  is  the  field,  and  the  harvest  is  white, 
But  the  reapers  are  wasted  and  pale. 

"All  wasted  and  pale  with  their  wearisome  toil — 
Still  they  pause  not,  that  brave  little  band, 
Though  soon  their  low  pillows  will  be  the  strange  soil 
Of  that  distant  and  grave-dotted  strand. 

"There  the  strong  man  is  bowed  in  his  youth's  golden  prime, 
But  cheerly  he  sings  at  his  toil, 
For  he  thinks  of  the  sheaves  and  garnering  time 
Of  the  glorious  Lord  of  the  soil. 

***** 

"  But  ever  they  turn,  that  bravo  little  band, 
A  long,  wistful  gaze  towards  the  West ; 
'  Do  they  come  ?  Do  they  come  ?'  from  that  dear,  distant  land- 
That  land  of  the  lovely  and  blest ! 

"  'Do  they  come  ?  Do  they  come  ?'  Oh  !  wo  are  feeble  and  wan, 
And  we  are  passing  like  shadows  away; 
But  the  harvest  is  white — lo  1  yonder  the  dawn  ; 
For  laborers,  for  laborers  we  pray." 
Washington,  D.  C,  June,  1857.  A.  M.  S. 


For  the  cuts,  which  add  much  to  the  beauty  and  value  of  this 
volume,  we  are  indebted  to  the  Carrier  Dove,  a  monthly  paper 
for  children  and  youth,  published  by  the  Foreign  Committee  of 
the  Board  of  Missions,  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  19  Bible 
House,  New-York. 


DAY    DAWN    IN    AFRICA. 


CIjHpiu   lint. 

"  Separated  unto  the  Gospel  of  God." — Rom.  1  :  1. 
"  Declare  his  glory  among  the  heathen." — Ps.  96  :  3. 

On  the  eleventh  of  July,  1851,  in  the  old  town  of 
Alexandria,  Virginia,  a  scene  was  enacted  which  was 
destined  to  influence,  through  time  and  eternity,  thou- 
sands of  heathen  on  a  far  distant  continent.  A  large 
congregation  was  assembled  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  to 
witness  the  setting  apart  to  the  office  of  Bishop,  one 
of  the  pioneers  in  the  missionary  field  of  Western 
Africa,  who  had  dedicated  himself  for  life  to  that  labor- 
ious work. 

From  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Virginia,  whose 
hallowed  walls  crown  a  neighboring  hill,  he  had  gone 
forth  fifteen  years  before,  to  encounter  the  toils  and 
perils,  the  struggles  and  triumphs  of  the  missionary 
life,  in  that  most  fatal  climate.  He  had  now  returned 
at  the  call  of  the  Church,  to  receive  the  highest  office 
in  her  gift. 

Many  were  present  at  his  consecration,  who  had 
seen  this  devoted  servant  of  Christ,  with  his  faithful 


12  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFHICA. 

fellow-laborers,  depart  to  that  distant  and  untried  field. 
How  different  their  feelings  now  !  Then,  thoughts  of 
the  unhealthiness  of  the  climate,  and  the  apparently 
hopeless  degradation  of  the  people,  were  uppermost  in 
every  mind.'  Now  they  could  rejoice  over  the  glad 
tidings  brought  by  this  faithful  evangelist,  who  had 
returned,  like  the  apostles  of  old,  to  tell  what  great 
things  the  Lord  had  done  in  heathen  Africa. 

No  better  summary  of  the  work  accomplished  in 
that  important  and  interesting  field  previous  to  this 
time,  can  be  given  than  is  contained  in  the  following 
extracts  from  the  discourses  of  Bishop  Payne,  delivered 
about  the  time  of  his  consecration.  After  speaking,  at 
some  length,  of  the  work  accomplished  at  other  mis- 
sions on  the  coast,  he  thus  sums  up  the  achievements 
of  our  own  Protestant  Episcopal  Mission  at  Cape 
Palmas : 

"  Four  distinct  stations,  in  sufficient  proximity  for 
mutual  sympathy  and  relief,  have,  it  is  hoped,  been 
firmly  established,  three  of  them  being  amongst  na- 
tives, and  one  of  them  in  the  Maryland  Colony  at  Cape 
Palmas. 

"At  these  several  stations  the  usual  moral  machinery 
of  Christianity  is,  and  has  been  for  some  years  in  con- 
tinuous and  efficient  operation.  One  permanent  stone 
church  building  is  nearly  completed ;  another  has  been 
commenced ;  regular  congregations,  varying  from  fifty 
to  three  hundred,  have  been  gathered;  pastoral  and 
missionary  efforts  have  brought  the  Gospel  in  contact 
with  the  minds  of  thirty  thousand  heathen ;  boarding 
and  day-schools  have  been  maintained,  in  which  about 
one  thousand   native  and  colonist  scholars  have  re- 


DAY    DAWN    IN    AFRICA.  13 

ceived,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  a  Christian  educa- 
tion. 

"  "When  it  is  considered  that  the  hindrances  to  the 
success  of  Christian  missions  in  general,  and  especially 
to  African  missions,  have  arisen  from  the  interruption 
and  inefficient  character  of  the  religions  agency  em- 
ployed, the  importance  of  having  thus  secured  for 
Christianity,  in  one  place,  a  permanent  home  and  in- 
fluence, can  not  be  too  highly  estimated. 

"  Kesults  of  greater  value  still  have  been  attained. 
Missionary  experience  is  every  where  valuable,  but  in 
no  country  so  much  so  as  in  Africa.  It  is  not  too 
much  to  say,  that  at  least  half  of  those  who  have  fallen 
victims  to  the  climate  might  have  been  saved,  had  they 
enjoyed  the  benefits  of  the  experience  now  possessed. 

"A  native  language  has  been  reduced  to  writing; 
services  are  held  in  it.  Spelling-books,  reading-books, 
portions  of  the  Liturgy,  and  of  the  Scriptures,  have 
been  translated,  and  many  children  and  youths  taught 
to  read  them. 

"A  standing  influence,  as  Christian  teachers,  has 
been  gained  by  the  missionaries  for  scores  of  miles 
around  them,  and  amongst  fifty  thousand  natives. 
This  was  no  easy  task.  For  years  the  heathen  natu- 
rally persisted  in  classing  them  with  foreigners  in 
general,  whose  object  was  only  gain.  The  endless 
annoyances,  exactions,  vexations,  and  persecutions, 
which  this  view  entailed  upon  the  missionaries,  they 
only  can  know  who  have  experienced  them. 

"  The"  direct  spiritual  effects  of  missionary  labor 
upon  the  heathen  are  manifest.  The  popular  faith  in 
idolatry  is  shaken.     I  have  myself  burned  up  a  wheel- 


14  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

barrow  load  of  idols,  or  gree-grees,  at  one  time.  Many 
use  gree-grees  only  from  custom  and  a  fear  of  exciting 
observation  and  remark,  not  from  faith  in  their  efficacy. 
Beside  some  who  have  died  in  the  faith,  and  others 
who  have  apostatized,  we  have  now  in  regular  stand- 
ing above  one  hundred  communicants,  more  than  half 
of  whom  are  natives. 

"Fifteen  Christian  families,  the  members  of  which 
were  nearly  all  educated  in  the  schools,  are  living  to- 
gether in  a  Christian  village,  on  our  mission  premises, 
at  Cavalla.  Nine  young  men  and  women,  educated  in 
the  mission  schools,  are  employed  as  catechists,  teach- 
ers, and  assistants.  Two  native  youths  are  in  this 
country  pursuing  their  studies,  preparatory  to  the 
ministry.     One  colonist  is  a  candidate  for  orders. 

"  A  wide  and  effectual  door  for  the  spread  of  the 
Gospel  in  the  colonies,  amongst  neighboring  and  dis- 
tant tribes,  has  been  opened  around  the  mission  sta- 
tions which  have  been  established.  To  gain  this  point, 
though  obviously  of  the  first  importance,  has  been  the 
work  of  time.  At  first  the  natives  on  the  coast  would 
on  no  account  allow  foreigners  to  go  into  the  interior ; 
and  viewing  all  foreigners  as  traders,  they  were  appre- 
hensive that,  if  permitted  to  go  thither,  the  mission- 
aries might  interfere  with  their  gains.  With  correct 
views  of  the  missionaries,  however,  came  the  abandon- 
ment of  such  objections;  and  at  the  present  moment, 
a  hundred  evangelists  might  find  immediate  and  full 
employment  among  the  numerous  and  populous  tribes 
lying  between  the  mission  stations  and  the  mountains 
of  the  interior. 

"  But  whence  shall  come  the  host  of  laborers  re- 


DAY   DAWN    IX  AFRICA.  15 

quired  to  go  fortli  and  reap  the  wasting  harvests  of 
these  extensive  regions  ? 

"Doubtless  from  the  mission-schools  already  in 
operation,  shall  be  raised  up  many  native  teachers  and 
evangelists  to  go  forth  in  this  blessed  work ;  and  on 
this  account  these  schools,  and  the  missions  which  sus- 
tain them,  challenge  your  prayers,  your  contributions 
and  efforts. 

"But  these  natives,  with  few  exceptions,  can  only 
make  assistants.  They  will  require  some  superintend- 
ing agency.  And  since,  as  I  have  observed,  white 
men  can  not  bear  the  interior  of  Africa,  this  circum- 
stance, and  the  comparative  advance  in  Christian  civil- 
ization attained  by  the  colonists  from  this  country, 
point  to  them  as  the  materials  from  which  to  raise  up 
this  superintending  agency. 

"  Hence  the  preeminent  importance  to  be  attached 
to  all  schemes  of  education  in  Liberia,  and  especially 
to  our  own  High  School  at  Mt.  Vaughan.  Here,  as 
before  observed,  we  have  in  operation  an  institution 
for  preparing  teachers  and  ministers  for  the  great  work 
around  them.  In  order  to  insure  a  complete  educa- 
tion, it  is  necessary  to  support  young  men  four  or  five 
years,  at  an  expense  of  one  hundred  dollars  per  an- 
num ;  and  when  the  demand  for  such  laborers,  as  it  is 
sought  here  to  raise  up,  is  considered,  an  object  more 
worthy  of  the  patronage  of  American  Christians,  can 
not  well  be  conceived.  At  present  there  are  only  ten 
scholarships,  and  only  five  permanently  supported  ;  I 
hope  to  raise  seven  more. 

"  Other  missions  also,  of  similar  character  to  that  at 
Cape  Palmas,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  soon  established  at 


16  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFPJCA. 

Bassa  Cove  and  Monrovia,  as  radiating  points  from  those 
places  to  the  populous  regions  around  them,  which,  as 
has  been  said,  Providence  has  committed  to  American, 
Christians.  May  God  give  to  all  interested  in  Africa's 
welfare,  grace  to  devise  liberal  things,  and  to  carry 
those  liberal  things  more  and  more  into  practice ;  and 
especially  may  we  share  largely  in  the  distinguished 
honor  and  reward  of  those  who  shall  be  instrumental 
in  causing  '  Ethiopia  to  stretch  forth  her  hand  unto 
God.' 

"  To  all  human  appearances,  the  Gospel  has  been 
planted  there.  In  connection  with  our  Mission,  Christ- 
ianity seems  to  have  found  one  home,  shall  I  say  an- 
other Antioch  ?  I  would  leave  to  my  associates  in  the 
Mission  the  pleasing  task  of  describing  particularly 
their  respective  stations.  But  I  shall  be  excused,  I 
am  sure,  for  making  some  reference  to  my  own,  en- 
deared as  it  is  by  the  hallowed  associations  of  some  ten 
years  of  missionary  toil  and  enjoyment.  And,  breth- 
ren, of  it  I  can  not  say  less  than  this  :  Much  as  I  love 
this  our  Antioch,*  I  have  found  more  than  another 
Antioch  in  my  African  Cavalla  home. 

"  Nay,  brethren,  there  is  now,  in  this  wide  world, 
no  place  to  me  like  that,  my  home.  Thirty  cocoa-nut 
trees  spread  forth  their  graceful  branches  to  shelter  it 
from  the  beams  of  a  tropical  sun  ;  a  garden  with  lovely 
flowers,  such  as  God  delights  to  scatter  over  his  fair 
creation,  and  numerous  fruit  trees,  with  beauteous 
birds  'singing  among  the  branches;'  refreshing  breezes 
coming  almost  the  whole  day  over  the  deep  broad  sea, 

*  Theological  Seminary  of  Virginia. 


BAY   DAWN   IN   AFH10A.  17 

not  three  hundred  yards  distant ;  a  climate  as  pleasant 
(temperature  considered)  as  any  on  earth  ;  a  Christian 
congregation  formed  out  of  heathenism,  and  a  sub- 
stantial brick  church  commenced  ;  schools,  containing 
seventy  pupils,  in  successful  operation;  and  cheerful 
hearts  and  willing  hands  to  work  in  the  Lord's 
harvest. 

"  But,  brethren,  these  are  not  the  chief  attractions 
for  me  or  for  you.  What  makes  Cavalla  a  most  inter- 
esting missionary  station,  is,  that  there  the  door  of 
faith  is  most  widely  and  effectually  opened  to  numer- 
ous towns  and  tribes  of  African  Gentiles.  But  I  would 
fix  your  attention  upon  the  fact,  that  it  is  only  the  door, 
and  this  door  is  only  opened.  The  field — and  oh ! 
ivhat  a  field — how  extensive,  how  dark,  how  ruined,  is 
yet  to  be  occupied  ! 

"  Here,  brethren,  I  stand  before  you,  fourteen  years 
after  having  first  put  my  foot  on  African  soil,  and 
having  spent  nearly  the  whole  of  this  time  in  that 
country.  I  have,  by  God's  help,  in  short  journeys, 
travelled  on  missionary  duty,  more  than  eight  thou- 
sand miles,  preached  in  Grebo  and  English  at  least 
four  thousand  times,  in  from  thirty  to  forty  different 
towns  and  places,  to  four  distinct  heathen  tribes,  and 
in  the  colonies.  In  doing  all  which  I  can  not  remem- 
ber having  been  interrupted  by  ill-health  on  one  Sab- 
bath ;  certainly  not  in  the  last  ten  years.  Now,  here, 
to  the  praise  of  God's  grace  be  it  said,  are  great  facts, 
to  establish  which  my  life  had  been  well  spent  in 
Africa,  and  to  report  which  to  you,  would  well  repay 
the  trouble  of  my  four  voyages  across  the  Atlantic. 

"And,  now,  that  after  the  lapse  of  fifteen  years,  I 


18  DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA. 

have  returned  to  this,  our  Antioch,  whence  I  was  re- 
commended to  the  grace  of  God  for  the  work  in  which 
I  have  been  engaged,  and  am  permitted  to  report  to 
you  how  through  many  dangers  and  temptations  which 
have  come  upon  me,  the  door  of  faith  has  been  so  re- 
markably and  widely  opened  to  the  Gentile  Africans, 
I  call  upon  you  with  me  to  return  thanks  for,  and  to 
magnify  the  providence  and  mercy  and  grace  of  God, 
which  have  so  signally  followed  your  brother  and  his 
associates  in  the  mission  which  they  have  been  the 
honored  instruments  of  planting  and  sustaining.  Yes, 
with  one  heart  and  voice,  let  us  say,  'Now,  thanks 
be  unto  God,  who  always  causeth  us  to  triumph  in 
Christ,  and  maketh  manifest  the  savor  of  his  know- 
ledge by  us  in  every  place.'  " 


C  Ir  it  p  t  u    S  u  0  n  & . 

"  Enlarged  by  you  according  to  our  rule  abundantly,  to  preach  the 
Gospel  in  the  regions  beyond  you." — 2  Cou,  10  :  15. 

Lsr  May  of  the  year  1852  we  find  our  missionary 
Bishop — after  having  visited  many  of  the  churches  in 
America,  and  greatly  interesting  them  in  his  Mission — 
again  turning  his  face  toward  his  beloved  African 
home,  accompanied  by  five  new  missionaries,  from 
various  States  in  the  Union,  namely :  Rev.  George  W. 
and  Mrs.  Home,  from  Connecticut ;  Miss  Alice  E. 
Colquhoun,  from  Virginia;  Mr.  Augustus  Rogers, 
from  New- York  ;  and  Rev.  Thomas  A.  Pinckney,  (col- 
ored,) from  South-Carolina. 

The  arrival  of  the  Bishop  is  thus  described  by  one 
of  the  missionaries  at  Cavalla  : 

"  Tliursday,  July  8th,  1852. — The  long-expected 
day  has  arrived  in  which  we  are  to  welcome  the 
Bishop ;  we  heard  of  his  arrival  in  the  Ralph  Cross, 
while  at  breakfast — an  occasion  of  joy  and  gratitude. 
He  reached  the  station  at  six  in  the  afternoon.  His 
coming  was  announced  by  the  noise  of  the  children 
and  natives  following  him.  Our  family  met  him  in 
the  avenue,  as  he  rode  upon  his  faithful  donkey,  which 
had  been  sent  for  him.  We  rejoiced  that  God  had 
kept,  blessed,  and  restored  him  to  his  work ;  that  he 
had  also  brought  out  other  laborers  with  him." 


20  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

We  can  readily  imagine  his  feelings  as  he  once  more 
beholds  his  beloved  mission.  Fifteen  years  have 
elapsed  since  he  first  landed  on  the  wild  shores  of 
Africa.  How  encouraging  the  contrast  between  the 
trials  and  sorrows  of  those  laborious  years  and  the 
mercies  and  blessings  of  the  present !  Memory  recalls 
that  darkest  hour,*  when  the  heathen,  who  now  herald 
his  approach  with  joyous  demonstrations,  seriously 
proposed  to  exterminate  the  Mission  by  starvation,  or 
fire  and  the  sword.  With  heartfelt  gratitude  he  re- 
members that  merciful  intervention  of  Providence, 
which,  at  the  most  critical  moment,  brought  so  oppor- 
tunely to  his  aid  a  man-of-war ;  and  an  officer,  at  the 
head  of  a  body  of  marines,  marched  suddenly  into  the 
mission  grounds,  from  the  United  States  ship,  Deca- 
tur. 

How  wonderful  the  change  wrought  on  these  wild 
people,  in  a  few  years,  by  God's  blessing  upon  the 
"  prayers,  pains,  and  faith"  of  a  feeble  band  of  mission- 
aries. Many  of  the  hardened  heathen,  who,  in  former 
years,  when  asked  to  visit  the  house  of  God,  were  wont 
to  reply,  "Pay  us,  and  we  will  come,"  are  now  heard 
earnestly  inquiring  :  "  Payne,  how  can  we  do  the  will 
of  God?" 

After  the  Bishop's  return,  a  fresh  impetus  was  given 
to  the  Mission.  Active  measures  were  commenced  by 
him  for  enlarging  its  operations  ;  and  he  immediately 
began  the  various  buildings  for  which  contributions 
had  been  made  during  his  visit  to  the  United  States. 
The  foundation  of  the  Orphan  Asylum  at  Cape  Pal- 

*  See  Mrs.  Ilening's  History  of  the  African  Mission,  p.  22;;. 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFEICA.  21 

mas  (hereafter  to  be  described)  was  laid — the  colonial 
authorities  giving  him  a  lot  for  that  purpose  on  the 
extremity  of  the  Cape. 

He  was  especially  desirous  to  do  more  for  the  spirit- 
ual progress  of  the  young  but  rapidly  growing  Eepub- 
lic  of  Liberia,  and  for  this  purpose  put  forth  vigorous 
efforts  to  open  more  stations  within  her  limits.  The 
points  to  which  his  attention  was  now  directed,  were, 
Monrovia,  the  capital  of  Liberia,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  north  of  Cape  Palmas ;  Bassa  Cove,  eighty 
miles  to  the  south-east  of  Monrovia ;  and  Sinoe,  half 
way  between  Bassa  Cove  and  Cape  Palmas,  and  about 
ninety  miles  from  each. 

It  may  be  proper,  before  we  proceed  to  describe 
the  progress  of  the  Bishop's  operations,  to  give,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  general  reader,  a  brief  account  of  the 
origin  of  the  American  colonies  in  Liberia,  and  of  their 
early  connection  with  our  Mission. 

The  first  scheme  of  African  colonization  sprang,  we 
are  told,  from  the  gifted  mind  of  Thomas  Jefferson, 
"who  was  one  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  Virginia,  in  1776,  to  revise  the 
laws  of  that  State,  and  at  that  time  prepared  an 
amendment,  to  be  submitted  to  the  committee,  propos- 
ing a  comprehensive  plan  of  colonization."  Though  the 
seed  of  colonization  was  doubtless  sown  at  that  time, 
and  fostered  by  other  great  and  good  men,  it  was  not, 
until  many  years  later,  that  the  first  Colonization  Soci- 
ety was  organized  at  Washington  City,  in  1817 ; 
which  shortly  afterward,  with  the  cooperation  of  the 
general  government,  sent  out  agents  to  select  a  tract  of 


22  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

land  in  Western  Africa,  to  form  a  home  for  the  free 
colored  people  of  the  United  States. 

For  this  purpose  a  portion  of  the  coast  of  New- 
Guinea  was  purchased,  of  which  the  Sherbro  river,  in 
latitude  7°  20',  forms  the  northern,  and  the  grand 
Sesters  river  on  the  south,  in  latitude  4°  30',  forms 
the  southern  boundary.  The  distance  between  these 
points  on  the  coast  is  five  hundred  miles.  Here  has 
sprung  up  the  Republic  of  Liberia,  of  which  Monrovia* 
(so  called  in  honor  of  James  Monroe,  President  of  the 
United  States,  who  did  so  much  to  forward  the  colo- 
nization scheme  in  Liberia)  is  the  capital.  It  is  in 
Messurada  county,  and  is  situated  on  an  elevated  site 
behind  Cape  Messurado,  in  latitude  6°  16'  north.  The 
summit  of  the  Cape  is  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high, 
and  the  town  about  eighty  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea.  Cape  Messurado  is  covered  with  the  richest  mass 
of  deep  green  foliage  and  shrubbery  we  ever  beheld. 
On  this  Cape,  Bishop  Payne  has  secured  ground  to 
build  an  educational  establishment  of  high  character, 
to  take  rank  hereafter  as  a  college.  There  is  a  large 
native  population  in  and  around  the  Liberia  settle- 
ments, and  it  is  hoped  that  as  our  missionary  force 
shall  be  increased  at  Monrovia,  effective  efforts  may  be 
made  in  behalf  of  the  heathen  population  in  this 
region. 

Monrovia  contains  a  population  of  something  over 
two  thousand,  and  is  increasing  rapidly,  all  things 
considered.  The  best  houses  are  built  of  stone  and 
brick,  and  many  of  them  are  neatly  furnished.     The 

*  About  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  south  of  the  English  colony  at 
Sierra  Leone. 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  23 

President's  house  is  a  double  two-story  building  of 
brick,  with  a  portico,  the  roof  of  which  is  supported 
by  lofty  pillars.  The  people  are  in  general  neatly 
dressed,  and  the  churches  well  attended.  The  gov- 
ernment house  on  Broadway  is  a  plain,  substantial 
building  with  a  balcony.  The  lower  floor  is  used  as  a 
court-room,  and  the  upper  one  as  a  legislative  hall. 

Many  tropical  fruit  trees,  such  as  the  orange,  lemon, 
the  lime,  the  banana,  tamarind,  cocoa-nut,  papaw, 
guava,  and  the  beautiful  coffee-tree  are  found  growing 
at  Monrovia ;  also  pine-apples,  cassavas,  plantains,  and 
sweet  potatoes.  Other  vegetables  and  fruits  of  tem- 
perate climes  have  been  introduced,  and  here — but 
more  particularly  on  the  St.  John's  and  at  Cape  Pal- 
mas — have  been  successfully  cultivated.  0  wing  partly 
to  the  comparative  poverty  of  the  soil,  but  more  espe- 
cially to  the  absorbing  love  of  trade,  agriculture  is  not 
as  nourishing  at  Monrovia  as  at  other  places  on  the 
coast  On  the  St.  Paul's  river,  and  in  other  parts  of 
Liberia,  the  soil  is  much  better  and  more  productive 
than  at  Monrovia.  In  many  places  there  are  good 
coffee  farms,  and  the  sugar-cane  grows  finely ;  and 
recently  one  or  two  steam  sugar-mills  have  been  car- 
ried out,  to  be  used  on  the  St.  Paul's. 

Eice  is  the  principal  production,  and  is  raised  in 
great  quantities  by  the  natives.  The  chief  article  of 
export  is  palm-oil.  Many  of  the  trees  in  Western 
Africa  are  of  a  very  hard  and  heavy  growth ;  there 
are  other  varieties,  however,  which  correspond  in 
lightness  to  our  pine,  and  some  which  answer  to  our 
hickory  and  oak.  There  are  many  large  forests  of 
cam-wood  toward  the  interior,  (some  fifty  miles  from 


24  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

the  sea,)  which,  is  used  by  the  natives  for  fuel,  and  is 
an  important  article  of  trade. 

In  many  places  on  the  rivers  and  in  the  forests  may 
be  seen  the  stately  palm  tree,  waving  its  light  and 
graceful  head  in  striking  contrast  with  the  heavy  ma- 
hogany* and  other  huge  trees ;  while  every  where 
delicate  flowers,  buds,  and  blossoms  attract  the  eye,  by 
their  rich  and  lovely  bloom. 

Lying  so  near  to  the  equator,  this  territory  has,  of 
course,  summer  weather  throughout  the  year,  inter- 
rupted only  by  the  rainy,  or  "wet  season,"  as  it  is 
generally  called,  which  usually  begins  in  May,  and 
continues  until  the  last  of  October.  During  this  time, 
and  when  the  harmattan  wind  is  blowing,  (from  the 
middle  of  December  to  the  last  of  January,)  the 
weather  is  delightfully  cool  and  invigorating.  In  the 
wet  season  woolen  clothing  is  very  comfortable ;  the 
more  so,  as  it  is  not  customary  to  have  fires  in  the 
houses.  The  rain  is  not  continuous,  as  many  persons 
in  the  United  States  have  supposed,  but  varied  by 
spells  of  dry  weather.  December  and  January  are  the 
warmest  months.  February  and  March  are  very  warm 
also.  The  oppressiveness  of  the  tropical  sun  is  so 
chastened  by  the  regular  sea  breezes,  that  one  is  sel- 
dom oppressed  by  the  heat ;  some  are  scarcely  con- 
scious of  it.  We  have  never  yet  met  one  who  had 
lived  in  Western  Africa,  who  would  not  prefer  it,  so 
far  as  temperaturef  is  concerned,  to  any  part  of 
America. 

*  This  is  not  the  genuine  mahogany. 

f  The  extremes  of  the  thermometrical  state  may  be  set  down  at  65° 
and  9(i°.     The  average  height  of  the  mercury  during  the  rainy  season 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  25 

Cape  Palmas,  which  is  about  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  south-east  of  Monrovia,  forms  the  southern  part 
of  Liberia.  In  1834,  colonists  from  the  State  of  Mary- 
land settled  here,  and  formed  an  independent  State, 
which  they  called  "  Maryland  in  Liberia."  Very 
recently  it  has  been  annexed  to  the  Kepublic  of  Li- 
beria. 

The  highest  part  of  Cape  Palmas  is  about  eighty 
feet  above  the  sea.  Its  eastern  end  was  covered  by 
native  towns  until  a  few  months  since,  when  they  were 
burned  in  the  war  between  the  natives  and  colonists. 
The  colonist  population  is  about  one  thousand.  Two 
years  after  this  colony  was  settled,  (in  1836,)  an  addi- 
tional tract  of  land  was  purchased,  which  extended 
along  the  Cavalla  river  to  the  distance  of  thirty  miles 
from  its  mouth.  Up  this  beautiful  stream  may  often 
be  seen  travelling  our  missionaries  and  native  evangel- 
ists, carrying  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  hea- 
then tribes  dwelling  on  its  banks. 

The  first  colored  Governor  of  Maryland  was  Mr. 
Kusswurm,  who  was  appointed  in  1837,  and  honorably 
and  ably  discharged  the  duties  of  his  office. 

When  our  first  missionaries  (Dr.  Savage,  Eev.  J. 
Payne,  and  Rev.  L.  B.  Minor)  arrived  at  Cape  Palmas 
in  1836,  they  found  two  colonists,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thomson,  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  teaching 
with  great  faithfulness  a  mission  school  at  Mount 
Yaughan,  (three  miles  from  the  Cape,)  under  the  pa- 
tronage of  the  "  Domestic   and   Foreign   Missionary 

may  be  set  down  at  about  76°,  and  during  the  dry  at  8-i°.     The  mean 
temperature  for  the  year  is  about  80°. 
o 


26  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  Amen 
ca,"  which  had  been  formed  by  the  General  Conven- 
tion in  1820.  So  much  pleased  were  our  pioneer 
missionaries  with  the  appearance  of  things  at  Cape 
Palmas,  that  they  at  once  decided  to  make  it  their  head- 
quarters, and  it  has  continued  to  be  the  central  and 
chief  seat  of  our  Mission  up  to  the  present  time. 

In  describing  the  spiritual  prospects  of  the  colonies 
in  Africa,  we  shall  quote  the  language  of  Bishop 
Payne,  who  has  been  for  many  years  among  them  : 

"  No  one,"  says  he,  "  can  contemplate  what  has 
been  accomplished  by  providence  and  grace  in  Western 
Africa,  within  the  memory  of  many  now  living,  with- 
out exclaiming  in  grateful,  adoring  love:  'What  hath 
God  wrought  ?' 

"It  is  little  more  than  fifty  years  since  the  whole  of 
that  part  of  the  coast,  lying  between  the  Gambia  on 
one  side,  and  the  Bereby  river  on  the  other — a  distance 
of  eight  hundred  miles — was  desolated  by  ceaseless 
wars  and  a  foreign  slave-trade ;  and,  owing  to  the 
influence  of  slave-traders,  the  barbarous  character  of 
the  natives,  and  the  unhealthiness  of  the  climate,  it 
was  supposed  to  be  as  effectually  closed  to  missionary 
efforts  as  China  itself. 

"  Behold  what  a  change  !  At  Sierra  Leone  and  its 
offshoots,  a  Christian  colony,  whose  population  is  not 
far  below  one  hundred  thousand !  And  composed  of 
whom  ?  Of  native  Africans,  taken  by  British  cruisers 
from  slave-ships,  and,  under  the  nurturing  care  of 
British  philanthropy,  transformed  from  savage,  war- 
loving  hordes,  into  orderly  Christian  communities. 

"  Between  Sierra  Leone  and  Bereby  have  sprung  up 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFIUCA.  27 

as  by  magic,  at  five  different  points,  as  many  civilized 
settlements.  These  are  the  offspring  of  the  benevo- 
lence and  far-sighted  wisdom  of  those  who  have  com- 
posed the  American  Colonization  Societies.  These,  too, 
are  composed  of  the  descendants  of  Africa's  own 
children.  They  are,  and  have  for  some  time  been  self- 
governing,  and  will  all  ere  long,  no  doubt,  be  united 
under  one  republic,  already  known  as  '  Liberia.'  The 
population  of  the  colonies  proper  is  at  this  time  seven 
thousand,  while  they  hold  under  their  jurisdiction,  or 
their  influence,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  ten  times 
that  number  of  natives.  With  the  rich  country,  and 
spirit  of  industry  and  patriotism  now  springing  up 
amongst  them,  they  have  all  the  elements  for  becoming 
flourishing  communities. 

"  But  the  influence  of  these  colonies,  present  and 
prospective,  upon  Africa,  is  their  most  interesting  fea- 
ture. Already,  tuithin  forty  years,  have  they,  in  con- 
nection with  the  British  and  American  squadrons, 
abolished  the  slave-trade  along  eight  hundred  miles  of 
coast ;  so  that  where  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands 
of  slaves  were  cajotured  and  shipped  annually,  now 
there  is  not  one ;  and  the  foreign  demand  being  thus  at 
an  end,  the  internal  wars,  which  were  excited  by  and 
have  lived  upon  that  demand,  have  to  a  great  extent 
I ;  while  the  lawful  commerce  which  has  sprung 
up  with  the  colonics,  has  created  a  new  channel  for 
the  enterprise  of  the  natives,  and  led  them  to  develop 
the  resources  of  their  rich  and  beautiful  country. 

"A  more  important  aspect  of  these  colonies  remains 
to  be  noticed:  it  is  that  which  connects  them  with  the 
missionary  enter j > r ise . 


28  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

"  Sierra  Leone,  as  has  been  stated,  is  settled  chiefly 
by  re-captured  Africans.  Though  taken  from  the 
slave-ships  savage  heathen,  yet  being  at  once  placed 
under  a  good  government  and  a  strong  missionary 
influence,  they  are  under  the  most  favorable  circum- 
stances possible  for  rapid  temporal  and  spiritual 
improvement.  They  do  improve  rapidly,  astonish- 
ingly. Many  of  them  become  wealthy.  They 
are  extensive  merchants  —  some  of  them  owners  of 
ships.  In  their  own  vessels,  many  of  them  have 
actually  returned  to  the  land  from  which  they  were 
forcibly  taken  —  the  distance  of  nearly  a  thousand 
miles — and  formed  Christian  colonies. 

"  But  their  religious  improvements  and  prospects 
are  more  striking  than  even  their  temporal.  Here,  in 
Sierra  Leone,  and  a  similar  settlement  on  the  Gambia 
river,  on  the  north-west,  and  the  colony  from  Sierra 
Leone,  at  Badagry,  eight  hundred  to  one  thousand 
miles  to  the  south-east,  there  are  about  fourteen  thou- 
sand children  and  youth  now  under  instruction,  be- 
sides numbers  who  have  been  educated  and  settled  in 
life.  There  are  engaged  in  instructing  these  children 
one  hundred  and  twelve  native  catechists,  school-mas- 
ters, and  school-mistresses.  Three  natives  have  re- 
ceived orders  in  the  Church  of  England ;  and  in  the 
Grammar  School  and  Fourah  Bay  Institute  at  Sierra 
Leone  are  sixty -six  students,  some  of  whom  are  study- 
ing Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew,  and  a  number  of  them 
looking  forward  to  the  ministry.  In  other  than  the 
Church  Mission,  many,  with  lower  literary  qualifica- 
tions than  are  there  required,  arc  usefully  employed  as 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  29 

ministers  of  the  Gospel  among  their  less-favored  breth- 
ren.    *    *    *     *     * 

"  I  will  now  speak  particularly  of  that  portion  of 
the  great  continent  of  Africa,  which  God  has  assigned 
peculiarly  to  American  Christians.  This  is  Liberia,  and 
parts  adjacent  At  present  this  government  has  titles, 
more  or  less  perfect,  to  most  of  the  territory  lying 
coast-wise  from  Grand  Cape  Mount  and  (taking  in 
Maryland  in  Liberia)  to  Grand  Bereby,  a  distance  of 
four  hundred  miles.  Its  jurisdiction  will  evidently  be 
extended  one  hundred  miles  farther  on  either  side, 
making  its  entire  length  on  the  coast  six  hundred 
miles.  Thus  much  the  powers  of  Europe  will  un- 
doubtedly most  cheerfully  concede  to  the  infant  repub- 
lic, which,  indeed,  they  show  every  disposition  to 
strengthen.  Towards  the  interior  the  peculiar  charac- 
ter of  the  native  tribes  will  invite  an  extension  of  ter- 
ritory to  the  distance  of  two  hundred  miles  ;  or  to  the 
chain  of  the  Kong  mountains,  stretching  along  near 
the  latitude  of  8°  north,  from  the  vicinity  of  Sierra 
Leone  on  the  west,  and  beyond  the  Niger  on  the  east. 

"  Here,  then,  a  territory  containing  one  hundred 
and  twenty  thousand  square  miles,  and  nearly  five  mil- 
lions of  aborigines,  besides  American  colonists — this  is 
the  sphere  to  which  Providence  directs  American  phi- 
lanthropy and  Christianity. 

"  There  are  at  the  present  time,*  as  has  been  stated, 
about  seven  thousand  emigrants  from  the  United 
States  in  the  various  settlements  constituting  Liberia. 
The  moral  and  intellectual  energies  of  the  colonists 

*  1861. 


30  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

have  thus  far  been  almost  exclusively  required  and 
employed  in  forming  and  strengthening  their  own 
infant  civil  and  religious  institutions.  And,  when  it  is 
considered  that  the  great  mass  of  those  who  have  been 
sent  out  to  Liberia  are  wholly  uneducated,  it  is  won- 
derful how  much  has  been  accomplished  in  this  respect. 
Obviously,  however,  they  still  need  the  helping  hand 
of  their  more  favored  American  brethren,  to  develop 
and  perfect  their  social,  intellectual,  and  political  con- 
stitution. And  it  is  most  gratifying  to  see  that  while 
they  are  sensible  of  their  need,  Christians  of  all 
denominations  are,  though  late,  moving  to  their  relief. 

"  The  Methodists  have  completed  a  very  good  build- 
ing at  Monrovia,  designed  for  a  seminary.  The  Pres- 
byterians have  sent  out  a  small  iron  house  to  the  same 
place,  for  an  institution  called  the  Alexander  High 
School.'  There  is  a  movement  in  New-England  to  get 
up  a  kind  of  Union  institution,  to  be  located  in  some 
central  part  of  Liberia,  perhaps  at  Bassa  Cove.*  When 
these  institutions  shall  be  provided  with  permanent 
and  competent  officers,  they  will  indeed  prove  bless- 
ings. I  am  thankful  to  be  able  to  say  that  our  Church 
has  rendered  the  most  substantial  service  to  the  colo- 
nies and  to  Africa  by  its  High  School  at  Mount 
Vaughan,  near  Cape  Palmas,  which  has  raised  and  is 
raising  up  teachers,  so  much  needed  in  the  colonies,  as 
well  as  missionaries  for  the  surrounding  heathen. 

"  It  has  been  stated  that  the  moral  energies  of  the 
colonists  have  been  chiefly  directed  to  their  own  inter- 
nal affairs.     It  must  not,  however,  be  understood  that 

*  This  institution  is  now  being  established  near  Monrovia,  with  ox- 
Presideut  Roberts  at  its  head. 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  31 

they  have  done  nothing  for  the  heathen.  Under  the 
direction  of  the  Presbyterian,  Methodist,  and  Baptist 
Missionary  Societies,  the  agency  of  colonists  has  been 
employed  at  sundry  times  and  in  various  places  among 
the  heathen.  But  owing  to  the  change  of  superin- 
tendents, or  their  incompetency,  little  permanent  fruit 
of  their  efforts  remains. 

"  Indeed,  it  must  be  evident  to  every  one  who  duly 
considers  the  missionary  work,  that  its  efficiency,  under 
God,  depends  upon  a  steady,  persevering,  Christian 
influence,  by  a  competent  agency.  That  the  agency  must 
be  competent,  needs  no  proof  nor  illustration.  That 
the  influence,  to  be  effective,  must  be  continued,  will 
appear  from  the  fact,  that  the  work  of  making  Christ- 
ian disciples  of  the  heathen  implies  far  more  than  that 
of  transforming  the  most  ignorant,  degraded,  and 
wicked  child,  ever  found  in  a  civilized  land,  into  an 
educated,  civilized,  and  Christian  man.  What,  in  fact, 
is  the  object  of  Christian  missions,  but  to  carry  on 
this  very  process,  not  for  individuals,  but  for  commu- 
nities, and  this  under  the  most  unfavorable  circum- 
stances? 

"  What  our  Protestant  Episcopal  Mission  in  Western 
Africa  has  accomplished,  has  been  owing,  under  God, 
to  its  complying  to  a  good  extent  with  these  necessary 
conditions.  From  what  has  been  said  of  the  moral 
and  intellectual  state  of  the  colonists,  it  must  be  per- 
ceived that  our  reliance  thus  far,  for  a  competent 
agency  must  have  been  chiefly  upon  the  white  laborers, 
however  few  in  number,  who  have  been  led  from 
America  to  this  country.  And  as  it  has  been  seen 
that  white  men  can  not  bear  interior  missionary  excur- 


32  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

sions,  or  indeed  the  African  climate  at  all,  without  a 
home  to  which  they  may  repair,  after  short  intervals 
of  exposure — necessity,  no  less  than  a  sense  of  duty, 
in  the  preservation  of  life  and  health,  has  heretofore 
prevented  our  extending  our  work,  but  we  can  rejoice 
in  substantial,  we  would  hope  permanent  results 
actually  attained,  and  in  the  opening  up,  through  these 
results,  of  prospects  of  wider  and  ever-widening  use 
fulness  hereafter." 


"  Many  shall  run  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge  shall  be  increased."— 
Daniel  12:4. 

In  March,  1852,  a  small  newspaper  called  the 
Cavulla  Messenger,  was  commenced  in  the  Mission.  It 
was  printed  in  Grcbo  and  English,  by  two  young  na- 
tive Christians,  who  had  been  trained  in  the  mission  - 
school  at  Cavalla ;  and  it  was  hoped  that  it  would  be 
a  benefit  to  the  young  connected  with  the  Mission,  be- 
sides giving  employment  to  those  engaged  in  it.  It  is 
sustained  by  articles  from  the  various  missionaries,  de- 
signed to  give  a  picture  of  the  inner  life  of  the  Mission, 
and  to  interest  foreign  readers  in  behalf  of  the  work 
among  the  heathen.  The  first  page  is  always  devoted 
to  a  history  of  the  Grebo  tribe,  in  their  own  language, 
by  the  Bishop. 

We  may  look  upon  the  establishment  of  this  paper 
as  an  important  era  in  the  history  of  this  tribe.  Since 
the  press  was  established  at  Cavalla,  it  has  issued  seve- 
ral hundred  copies  of  school-books  in  the  Grebo  tongue, 
and  more  will  be  done  in  the  future.  How  encouraging 
the  thought  that  on  the  spot,  where  once  was  heard 
only  the  groans  of  the  dying  gidu  victim,  or  the  shrill 
unearthly  cries  of  the  "Kwi-iru"  keeping  their  nightly 
orgies,  is  now  heard  the  cheerful  hum  of  the  printing- 
press,  and  that  within  the  office  may  be  seen  animated 


34  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

Grebo  faces  busily  bending  over  the  type  which  is  to 
be  the  means  of  disseminating  knowledge  among  their 
heathen  friends.  No  stranger  could  meet  the  bright, 
intelligent  faces  of  many  of  the  youths  and  children  in 
that  vicinity,  without  being  at  once  convinced  that 
Christianity  and  civilization  had  visited  that  heathen 
wild. 

Two  native  youths,  Ku  Sia,  (alias  Clement  F.  Jones,) 
and  Bidi  Wah,  (alias  G-.  T.  Bedell,)  returned  to  the 
Mission  in  January  of  this  year.  For  more  than  a  year 
they  had  been  under  the  tuition  of  Kev.  Dr.  May,  and 
some  of  the  students  at  the  Theological  Seminary  of 
Virginia.  Jones  went  to  Cavalla  to  finish  his  studies, 
preparatory  to  the  ministry,  under  the  Bishop;  and 
Bedell  to  Rocktown  to  teach  in  the  boarding-school 
for  native  boys. 

"  We  were  glad  to  welcome  back  our  former  scho- 
lars, Jones  and  Bedell,"  writes  a  missionary.  "  Their 
sojourn  in  America  has  been  an  advantage  to  both. 
Jones  accompanied  me  to-day  to  Kioto's  town,  where 
I  preached.  When  I  had  finished,  he  asked  to  be  per- 
mitted to  speak.  With  much  attention  the  people 
listened,  while  with  earnestness  he  spoke.  He  having 
finished  with  prayer,  they  thanked  him,  and  on  our 
leaving,  shook  hands  with  us,  one  man  remarking  to 
him :  '  Go  on,  that  Word  is  good?  " 

"  March  7th. — During  this  week  a  debating  society 
and  singing-school  have  been  commenced  by  our  older 
native  pupils  and  the  youth  of  the  village,  Ku  Sia  and 
Bedell  being  the  leaders  of  both."  This  is  certainly 
progressive. 

Bishop  Payne,  finding  on  his  arrival  at  Cavalla,  that 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  35 

his  faithful  fellow-laborers,  Rev.  Edmund  "W.  and  Mrs. 
Ilening,  had  been  compelled,  by  the  blindness  and 
failure  of  health  of  the  former,  to  withdraw  from  the 
Mission,  thus  wrote  to  the  Foreign  Committee  : 

"  However  we  may  mourn  over  the  cause  and  the 
loss  of  a  brother  and  sister  so  dearly  beloved,  it  could 
not  be  reasonably  expected  that  one  afflicted  like  Mr. 
Ilening  could  long  endure  as  a  missionary  in  Africa. 
I  have  suggested  to  Mr.  H.  a  mode  by  which  I  think 
he  may  be  most  usefully  employed  in  America,  if  it 
shall  please  God  to  restore  his  health.  It  is,  either 
under  the  direction  of  the  Foreign  Committee  or  the 
Diocesan  Missionary  Societies,  to  plead  the  cause  of 
missions  before  every  congregation  to  which  he  can 
get  access.  '  To  imbue  Christian  men  with  the  spirit 
of  missions  is  to  acquaint  them  with  the  missionary 
enterprise,'  and  to  acquaint  them  with  the  missionary 
enterprise,  requires  a  special  agency;  and  Mr.  Hen- 
ing's  affliction  for  Christ's  sake,  and  his  eloquence — 
for  God  has  given  him  eloquence — will  give  much 
effect  to  missionary  arguments  presented  by  him." 

In  accordance  with  this  advice  Mr.  Hening  soon 
after  became  agent  for  the  Mission  in  America,  and 
has  continued  to  act  as  such  up  to  the  present  date. 

One  year  later  the  Mission  wan  pained  to  hear  of  the 
unexpected  death  of  his  estimable  wife.  She  died,  in 
much  peace,  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  June  1st,  1853.  In  an- 
nouncing to  the  public  the  death  of  this  gifted  lady, 
the  Secretary  of  the  Foreign  Committee  thus  writes: 

"  She  died  after  a  very  short  illness,  leaving  her  hus- 
band totally  blind,  and  with  the  charge  of  an  infant 
but  a  few  months  old.     Long  a  most  faithful  and  effi- 


36  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

cient  laborer,  Mrs.  Hening's  usefulness  was  continued 
after  her  husband's  loss  of  sight  compelled  him  to  re- 
turn to  the  United  States;  and,  at  the  time  of  her 
death,  she  was  accompanying  him  on  a  journey,  in 
which  he  was  engaged  in  behalf  of  the  African  Mis- 
sion." 

"While  Mr.  Hening  was  advocating  the  cause  in 
the  pulpit,  she,  in  a  more  retired,  but  scarcely  less 
important  sphere,  was  enlisting  the  sympathies  of 
Christian  women  in  the  various  objects  recommended 
by  Bishop  Payne.  Her  loss  is  very  great  to  the  Mis- 
sion, and,  to  her  husband,  humanly  speaking,  irrepar- 
able." 

"  Mrs.  Hening,  in  addition  to  other  most  excellent 
and  valuable  service,  prepared  and  published  an  ac- 
count of  the  Mission  which  had  engrossed  her  mind 
and  heart.  This  interesting  volume,  which  gives  a 
brief  history  of  the  early  efforts  of  our  Church  to 
spread  the  Gospel  among  the  natives  of  Africa,  and 
develops  the  Christian  character  of  the  author,  ought 
to  be  in  the  hands  of  every  friend  of  the  cause  of  civil- 
ization and  Christianity  in  the  land." 

Eev.  G.  W.  Home  (who  had  accompanied  the  Bishop 
on  his  return)  took  charge  of  the  Eocktown  station, 
left  vacant  by  Mr.  Hening's  departure ;  and  Mr.  Au- 
gustus Eogers  became  a  most  efficient  teacher  in  the 
boarding-school  for  native  boys  at  Cavalla. 

On  Christmas- day,  1852,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
congregation,  the  Bishop  held  the  first  confirmation  in 
the  new  colonial  church,  St.  Mark's,  at  Cape  Palmas. 
Twenty-five  persons  were  confirmed.     As  this  was  the 


DAY  DAWN  IN   AFRICA.  37 

first  service  of  the  kind  ever  performed  in  the  colony, 
it  was  a  season  of  unusual  interest. 

This  beautiful  little  stone  church  had  been  built  for 
the  colony  by  contributions  collected  principally  in  the 
Diocese  of  Maryland.  The  first  two  years  it  was  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Kev.  C.  Colden  Hoffman,  assisted . 
by  Rev.  T.  A.  Pinckney.  It  was  consecrated  to  the 
service  of  Almighty  God,  December  21st,  1853  ;  and 
placed  in  charge  of  Rev.  Hugh  Roy  Scott,  from  Vir- 
ginia, who,  with  Mrs.  Scott,  and  Miss  Freeman,  had 
arrived  at  Cavalla  at  the  beginning  of  this  year. 

In  this  year  the  Bishop  thus  writes  further  in  regard 
to  the  enlargement  of  the  Mission: 

"  The  Mission  at  Cape  Palmas  may  be  considered  as 
established,  and  possessing  all  the  elements  necessary 
to  expansion  in  this  vicinity.  And  here  there  is 
doubtless  ample  scope  for  the  employment  of  scores  of 
teachers,  evangelists,  and  pastors. 

"But,  as  has  been  already  intimated,  the  providence 
of  God  calls  to  a  more  extensive  sphere  of  action.  The 
young  but  rapidly  growing  settlements  of  Liberia  pro- 
per, demand  our  care  in  building  up  their  social  and 
political  institutions.  And  no  doubt  those  members 
of  our  communion  who  have  assisted  in  planting  and 
sustaining  these  colonies,  expect  that  we  will  extend 
to  them  such  care.  Certainly  they  will  not  think  they 
have  discharged  their  duty  towards  them  by  merely 
transporting  the  objects  of  their  interest  to  these  hea- 
then shores;  they  will  desire  to  provide  for  them 
religious  advantages  in  their  new  home." 

"  It  is  now  very  generally  admitted  that  Africa 
must  be  evangelized  chiefly  by  her  own  children.     It 


88  DAY  DAWN  IN   AFRICA. 

should  be  our  object  to  prepare  them,  so  far  as  we 
may,  for  their  great  work ;  and  since  colonists  afford 
the  most  advanced  materials  for  raising  up  the  needed 
instruments,  it  becomes  us,  in  wise  cooperation  with 
Providence,  to  direct  our  efforts  in  the  most  judicious 
manner  to  them.  To  do  this,  the  most  important 
points  should  be  occupied,  to  become  in  due  time  radi- 
ating centres  of  Christian  influence  to  colonists  and 
natives. 

"Convinced  of  the  indications  of  Providence  in  this 
direction,  and  of  the  ability  and  disposition  of  the 
Church  to  sustain  any  proper  measures  which  may  be 
adopted,  I  have  ventured  to  suggest  the  opening  of 
three  new  stations  in  connection  with  the  Mission. 
The  points  proposed  to  be  occupied  are,  Monrovia,  the 
capital  of  Liberia ;  Bassa  Cove ;  and  Sinoe,  about  half 
way  between  Bassa  Cove  and  Cape  Palmas,  and  some 
ninety  miles  from  each. 

"At  Monrovia,  incipient  steps  have  been  taken  to 
open  a  station.  A  candidate  for  orders  has  charge  of 
a  school,  and,  in  the  course  of  the  year,  he  will  be  pre- 
pared, it  is  hoped,  to  enter  regularly  upon  his  duties 
as  a  missionary  to  both  colonists  and  natives.  The 
mission  at  Monrovia,  it  is  expected,  will  be  sustained 
chiefly  by  the  Church  in  Virginia. 

"  At  Bassa  Cove,  active  measures  have  been  delayed 
in  consequence  of  the  unsatisfactory  relations  between 
colonists  and  natives.  It  is  understood  now,  however, 
that  these  have  assumed  a  more  pacific  aspect,  and  I 
hope,  in  the  course  of  the  present  year  to  have  a  build- 
ing erected  in  the  township  of  Buchanan,  suitable  for 
a  teacher  and  a  school-house. 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  39 

"  Sinoe,  tlie  settlement  intermediate  between  Bassa 
Cove  and  Cape  Palmas,  is  one  of  the  most  populous 
and  flourishing  in  Liberia.  Some  of  our  members  are 
already  settled  there,  and  the  place  offers  every  facility 
for  the  establishment  of  a  station.  One  of  our  colonist 
candidates  for  orders  will  be  prepared  (God  willing) 
within  a  year  to  take  charge  of  it ;  and  in  anticipation 
of  this,  I  have  made  an  appeal  to  some  of  our  churches 
in  the  West  and  South-west  to  sustain  him." 

While  the  Bishop  was  thus  cheerfully  contemplating 
an  extension  of  the  operations  of  the  Mission,  his  heart 
was  burdened  with  anxiety  for  the  health  of  his  wife 
and  other  missionaries,  as  the  following  brief  extracts 
from  one  of  his  letters  will  show  : 

"  Captain  Lowlin,  by  whom  it  is  hoped  this  will 
reach  you,  takes  to  the  United  States  our  highly 
esteemed  friend  and  fellow-laborer,  Miss  Williford. 
During  my  absence  from  the  Mission,  she  had  a  very 
severe  attack  of  fever.  This  was  followed  by  a  com- 
plication of  diseases,  which,  with  more  favored  inter- 
vals, has  continued  to  the  present  time.  No  medical 
aid  obtained  here  has  effected  relief,  and  several  weeks 
since  she  became  so  weakened  as  to  be  compelled 
to  resign  the  girls'  school  to  Miss  Colquhoun,  and  to 
confine  herself  to  her  chamber.  A  visit  to  the  United 
States  presents  the  only  hope  of  her  restoration." 

Three  months  later  lie  writes : 

"  You  may  be  surprised  to  hear  that  before  the  ar- 
rival of  Captain  Lowlin,  it  has  been  determined  that 
Mrs.  Payne  should  accompany  Miss  W.  to  America. 
For  some  months  previous  she  had  been  confined  to 
her  chamber,  and  this  continues  to  be  her  state  at  pre- 


40  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

sent.  Being  unable  to  do  any  thing  here,  she  has  con- 
sented to  try  a  voyage,  as  the  only  hope  of  obtaining 
any  relief.  Dr.  McGrill  is  of  the  opinion  that  she  has 
been  for  some  years  suffering  under  a  pulmonary  affec- 
tion.    Lately  she  has  had  several  haemorrhages. 

"  I  have  already  briefly  informed  you,  via  England, 
that  God,  in  His  wise  providence,  has  seen  fit  to  take 
from  us  our  late  amiable  and  highly  esteemed  sister, 
Mrs.  Jane  C.  Scott.  She  died  of  fever,  after  an  illness 
of  eleven  days,  on  the  6th  of  June,  1853,  (four  months 
and  twelve  days  after  her  arrival  at  Cavalla.)  She 
was  not  supposed  to  be  in  danger  thirty-six  hours 
before  her  death.  This  event,  so  unexpected  to  herself 
and  to  us  all,  has  excited  in  no  breast  other  sentiment 
than,  '  Thy  will,  0  Lord,  be  done ! '" 

"We  have  abundant  reason,"  writes  another,  "to 
believe  that  •  our  loss  is  her  eternal  gain.'  Being  un- 
aware of  the  near  approach  of  death,  she  left  no  testi- 
mony of  the  preciousness  of  the  Saviour  in  that  trying 
hour,  but  none  was  needed.  She  expressed  her  thank- 
fulness, a  few  days  before  she  was  taken  ill,  that  she 
had  been  led  to  live  among  the  heathen ;  and  signified 
her  entire  resignation  to  the  Lord's  will,  should  it 
please  Him  to  call  her  away  by  the  acclimating  fever, 
which  she  was  then  expecting." 

A  few  months  later,  the  Taboo  station  was  reopened 
under  interesting  circumstances.  Musu,  a  native  of 
Taboo,  (who  had  some  years  previously  been  baptized 
by  the  name  of  John  Musu  Minor,)  had  long  expressed 
a  strong  desire  to  return  to  his  people,  with  the  hope 
of  doing  something  for  their  spiritual  benefit. 

The  Bishop  thought  it  proper  to  gratify  his  wish, 


DAV   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  41 

and,  accordingly,  he  took  possession  of  the  mission- 
house,  which  had  been  erected  and  inhabited  by  the 
lamented  Eev.  Lancelot  B.  Minor.*  After  repairing 
the  buildings,  he  opened  a  small  school,  and  endea- 
vored to  do  good,  as  he  had  opportunity,  to  his  people. 

Of  him  Mr.  Minor  wrote,  in  1842  :  "  God  has  cer- 
tainly blessed  me  in  giving  me  such  an  interpreter  as 
Musu.  From  the  first,  he  attached  himself  to  me,  and 
served  me  with  such  zeal  that  I  feared  he  would  soon 
wear  himself  out ;  but,  so  far  from  this  being  the  case, 
his  zeal  has  increased." 

And  now,  ten  years  after  the  beloved  pastor  has 
been  called  away  to  his  heavenly  home,  we  see  Musu 
still  faithful,  and  returning,  with  joy,  to  labor  alone  in 
the  field  left  vacant  by  that  pastor's  death. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1853,  another  pupil  of  the 
Mission,  Mr.  Garrettson  W.  Gibson,  (a  young  colonist,) 
who  had  been,  for  more  than  a  year,  studying  divinity 
with  the  Eev.  H.  V.  D.  Johns,  in  Baltimore,  returned 
to  Cape  Palmas.  He  continued  to  prosecute  his  theo- 
logical studies  with  one  of  the  missionaries  until  he 
was  prepared  for  ordination. 

About  the  close  of  this  year,  the  congregation  was 
formed  at  Monrovia,  and  placed  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  Kev.  Alexander  Crummell,  a  colonist  from 
New-York,  who  had  graduated  from  Cambridge  Uni- 
versity, England. 

In  his  report  to  the  Board  of  Missions,  for  the  year 
1853,  the  Bishop  thus  speaks  again  of  the  African 
colonies : 

*  See  Mrs.  Hening's  "  History  of  the  Mission  in  Western  Africa," 
p.  183. 


42  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

"It  is  a  most  gratifying  consideration,  that,  from  the 
time  when  the  political  and  religious  condition  of  the 
United  States  allowed  opportunity  for  attention  to 
foreign  objects  of  benevolence,  the  Episcopal  Church 
manifested  a  lively  interest  in  the  spiritual  welfare  of 
Africa  and  her  children.  At  first,  this  was  largely 
discovered  in  originating  and  prosecuting  the  scheme 
of  African  colonization.  For  it  is  a  great  mistake  that 
this  was  prompted,  or  is  sustained,  by  selfish  consider- 
ations. Doubtless,  these  enter  into  it,  as  into  all  hu- 
man enterprises.  But  that  benevolence  conceived,  as 
benevolence  now  sustains  this  cause,  must  be  manifest 
to  all  who  will  examine  the  subject  carefully.  The 
same  principle  which,  within  the  last  half  century,  has 
planted  at  Sierra  Leone  a  settlement  of  forty-five  thou- 
sand native  Africans,  of  whom  thirty-five  thousand  are 
said  to  be  Christians — extending  their  missionary  in- 
fluence and  operations  far  along  the  coast,  and  in  the 
interior — originated  and  sustains  the  Christian  colonies 
constituting  Liberia." 

"  Nor  has  this  benevolent  feeling  found  expression 
only  in  the  United  States.  From  the  very  beginning 
of  the  effort  to  benefit  Africa,  in  connection  with  colo- 
nies, members  of  the  Episcopal  Church  have  ever  been 
found  to  encounter  all  the  privations  inseparable  from 
this  enterprise,  and  the  perils  of  the  most  unhealthy  of 
climes.  Let  us  glorify  God,  in  the  reflection  that 
nothing  less  than  a  manly  spirit  brought  to  these 
shores  our  Wiltberger,  Bankson,  Andrus,  and  Ash- 
mun,  ready  to  lay  down  their  lives  for  Africa's  re- 
demption. 

"And  when,  in  the   light  of  the  knowledge  and 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFKICA.  43 

experience,  gained  chiefly  in  connection  with  the  colo- 
nies, the  Church  became  convinced  that  the  time  had 
come  for  her  to  enter  upon  her  appropriate  work  of 
evangelizing  Africa,  through  direct  missionary  efforts, 
instruments  were  at  once  found  to  engage  in  this 
work. 

"From  the  year  1836,  when  the  Mission  on  this 
coast  was  regularly  commenced,  to  the  present  time, 
there  have  been  connected  with  it  no  less  than  thirty- 
one  white  missionaries,  (besides  respected  and  beloved 
colored  brethren  and  sisters,  who  have  labored  with 
them  in  the  Lord,)  and  more,  many  more,  thank  God, 
are  ready  to  offer  themselves  for  its  service. 

"Is  it  asked,  Where  are  now  all  these  laborers?  A 
more  profitable  question  is,  What  have  they  accomplished 
for  themselves,  and  for  Christ 's  cause  in  Africa  ?  Every 
one  who  entered  upon  the  work  in  a  proper  spirit,  has 
obtained  blessings  for  himself  and  the  Church  with 
which  he  is  connected. 

"Some,  whose  constitutions  on  trial,  proved  unfitted 
for  the  clime,  have  returned  to  their  native  land,  sel- 
dom without  carrying  with  them  earnest  resolves  to 
labor  there  for  Africa.  Others,  who  '  counted  not 
their  lives  dear  unto  them,  so  that  they  might  finish 
their  course  with  joy,'  have  been  honored  by  receiv- 
ing the  Master's  summons  to  wear  the  martyr's  crown. 
While  a  remnant,  rejoicing  in  what  God  hath  already 
accomplished,  through  the  labors  and  sufferings  of  all, 
are  looking  forward  to  a  glorious  harvest." 

Doubtless,  all  who  have  entered  upon  the  mission- 
ary work  in  Africa,  in  the  right  spirit,  have  done  so  in 
the  belief  that  the  last  command  of  our  Lord  and  Sav- 


44  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

iour,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gos- 
pel to  every  creature,"  is  imperative,  and  to  be  literally 
fulfilled.  They  could  not,  therefore,  hesitate,  and  say, 
(as  so  many  do:)  "  There  is  little  hope  of  ultimate  suc- 
cess in  Africa;  the  work  progresses  too  slowly,  and 
requires  too  much  sacrifice."  This,  in  their  opinion, 
would  be  criminal,  as  calling  in  question  the  wisdom, 
power,  nay,  the  very  truth  of  the  Almighty,  who  has 
so  emphatically  declared  that,  "  Ethiopia  shall  soon 
stretch  forth  her  hands  unto  God." 

Those  who  have  labored,  and  suffered,  and  died,  in 
the  African  Mission,  have  felt  it  to  be  a  precious  j)rivi- 
lege  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  obey  the  last  command 
of  their  ascended  Lord,  calmly  leaving  consequences 
in  the  hands  of  God.  Their  feelings  have  been  well 
described  by  one  who  has  recently  died  in  her  native 
land,  far  away  from  the  missionary  home  she  loved  so 
well.  Before  duty  to  her  afflicted  husband  required 
her  to  leave  that  home — when  on  a  bed  of  sickness 
herself,  hovering  between  life  and  death — she  thus 
wrote : 

"/may  not  reap,  but  others  will; 
For  never  shall  that  voice  be  still, 
Whose  loud  command  is  echoed  yet, 
From  Judea's  favored  Olivet. 

"  Go  teach  all  lands :  the  Church  has  heard, 
And  will  obey  her  Saviour's  word : 
Others  will  come  when  I  am  gone, 
And  Ethiope  yet  her  God  shall  own," 


"None  saith,  "Where  is  God  my  Maker,  who  giveth  songs  hi  the 
night?  who  teacheth  us  more  than  the  beasts  of  the  earth,  and  maketh 
us  wiser  than  the  fowls  of  heaven." — Job  35  :  10. 

Befoke  we  proceed  to  describe  the  remarkable 
work  of  grace  winch  began  in  the  heathen  towns 
about  this  time,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  give  a  brief 
account  of  the  Orebo  people,  among  whom  the  Mission 
is  more  especially  established. 

Deriving  their  name  from  gre,  a  species  of  monkey 
noted  for  its  activity,  this  tribe  boasts  of  being  more 
active,  wiser,  and  more  civilized  than  their  brethren 
of  the  interior,  or  the  "  bush  people,"  as  they  some- 
what contemptuously  term  them.  Though  rather  su- 
perior physically  and  mentally  to  many  of  the  neigh- 
boring tribes,  and  from  contact  with  the  colonists, 
missionaries,  and  foreigners  generally,  more  enlight- 
ened than  they,  the  mass  of  the  Greboes  still  live  as  all 
their  people  have  lived  from  time  immemorial. 

With  the  exception  of  those  who  have  embraced 
Christianity,  and  removed  to  the  Christian  villages  at 
the  mission  stations,  the  Greboes — like  all  native  Afri- 
cans— still  dwell  in  small  circular  huts.  These  huts 
are  built  with  conical  roofs,  varying  from  fifty  to  a 
hundred  feet  in  circumference,  and  from  twelve  to 
twenty  feet  high.     The  lower  part  is  made  of  upright 


46  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFIIICA. 

boards,  about  five  feet  high.  Over  these  extend,  sev- 
eral feet,  the  peaked  roof,  made  of  bamboo,  and  cov- 
ered with  thatch.  The  floor  is  of  earth,  beaten  hard 
and  smooth,  in  the  centre  of  which  a  fire  is  commonly 
kept  burning.  The  low,  narrow  doorway  answers  the 
triple  purpose  of  door,  chimney,  and  window.  These 
houses  are  furnished  in  the  simplest  style — with  a  few 
chests,  several  low  chairs  or  stools,  mats,  and  a  num- 
ber of  wash-basins,  bowls,  and  earthenware  hung 
around  the  walls,  as  much  for  ornament  as  for  use. 
The  mats  are  spread  out  on  the  floor  at  night  for  beds, 
with  pieces  of  wood  for  pillows.  In  the  morning  they 
are  packed  away  in  frames  over  their  heads.  The 
wood,  which  the  women  bring  from  the  forests  on 
their  heads,  is  also  nicely  arranged  in  the  same  man- 
ner. In  this  particular,  by  the  way,  the  women  vie 
with  each  other,  the  neat  arrangement  of  the  wood 
being  considered  an  indication  of  a  good  hai  de,  or 
housekeeper. 

They  are,  for  the  most  part,  an  orderly  people  ;  and 
the  women  are  cleanly  in  their  persons  and  houses. 
"When  they  have  finished  cooking,  they  carefully  wash 
their  cooking  utensils,  and  put  them  in  their  proper 
places.  All  classes  bathe  daily ;  and  they  frequently 
anoint  themselves  with  oil,  to  impart  a  fresh  appear- 
ance to  their  skins,  and  perhaps  with  the  view  of  pro- 
moting their  health. 

They  all  live  in  towns,  and  their  houses  are  hud- 
dled closely  together,  with  so  little  regard  to  order, 
that  it  is  very  difficult  for  a  stranger  to  find  his  way 
through  them  without  a  guide.  They  vary  in  size, 
some  containing  not  more  than  fifty  or  a  hundred,  and 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  47 

others  several  hundred  or  a  thousand  houses.  In  the 
centre  of  the  town  stands  a  large  square,  or  oblong 
house,  in  which  the  town  gree-grees  are  kept,  and  pub- 
lic measures  and  palavers  are  discussed. 

The  farms  of  the  people  are  generally  two  or  three 
miles  distant  from  the  towns.  The  chief  articles  of 
cultivation  are  rice  and  cassava  root.  Some  of  them, 
in  addition  to  their  farms,  have  little  patches  of  ground 
inclosed  nearer  home,  in  which  they  cultivate  plan- 
tains, bananas,  beans,  and  a  few  other  vegetables. 

Their  food  consists  principally  of  rice  and  palm  oil. 
This  is  served  up  in  large  wooden  bowls,  and  placed 
on  the  ground  or  floor  of  the  hut,  where  it  is  eaten 
without  the  aid  of  knives,  forks,  or  spoons. 

From  intercourse  with  the  colony  at  Cape  Palmas, 
the  principal  natives  have  been  led  to  adopt  some  ar- 
ticles of  European  and  American  manufacture.  Thus, 
in  the  houses  of  the  head  men,  we  sometimes  see  a 
rough  bedstead  and  a  table,  chairs,  knives,  forks,  and 
spoons,  which  are  used  on  extraordinary  occasions. 
They  make  also  a  greater  display  of  crockery  ware 
than  the  poorer  classes.  Many  have  acquired  a 
smattering  of  the  English  language :  this  is  particu- 
larly the  case  with  JTroomen,  or  sailors,  who  return 
home  laden  with  trade  goods,  which  they  have  taken 
in  place  of  money  for  their  wages,  and  bringing  with 
them  ideas  of  civilization  very  much  in  advance  of 
their  countrymen. 

On  reaching  home,  the  Kroomen  are  received  with 
much  eclat  by  their  people.  But  the  poor  fellows  do 
not  long  retain  their  hard  earnings  ;  for  shortly  after 
reaching    home,  according   to  African   custom,   they 


48  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

must  give  a  large  portion  to  the  head  men  of  their 
families,  and  divide  the  balance  among  their  friends 
generally.  This  practice  of  dividing,  or,  as  they  say, 
"  eating  one  another's  money,"  is  one  of  the  greatest 
checks  to  industry  and  enterprise  among  these  people. 

The  young  kroomen,  however,  enjoy  a  short  triumph 
when  they  first  return  from  sea.  We  have  seen  six  or 
eight  of  them  parading  the  towns,  some  dressed  in 
English  costume,  with  black  fur  hats  and  feathers ; 
others  in  cloths  of  brilliant  colors,  with  straw  hats, 
from  which  streamed  five  or  six  yards  of  fancy  rib- 
bons. They  carried  in  their  hands  Jew's-harps,  and 
other  small  and  cheap  musical  instruments,  with  which 
they  charmed  the  admiring  crowds,  of  all  sizes  and 
ages,  by  whom  they  were  followed. 

The  Greboes  possess  fine  physical  frames,  and  con- 
siderable energy  of  character.  Tall,  erect,  with  finely 
formed  limbs,  they  are  generally  easy  and  graceful  in 
their  carriage ;  and  their  countenances  are  open  and 
smiling.  Their  features,  though  of  the  genuine  negro 
type,  are  comparatively  regular ;  and  every  shade  of 
complexion  may  be  found,  from  the  darkest  to  the 
lightest  shade  of  brown. 

They  are  hospitable,  affable,  and  easily  approached 
by  foreigners.  It  would  be  regarded  a  great  disgrace 
to  refuse  to  entertain  any  of  their  own  people,  who 
may  choose  to  visit  them.  It  is  a  common  practice  in 
the  dancing  season  for  the  women  to  go  to  distant 
towns,  and  spend  weeks  in  this  amusement.  On  these 
occasions,  great  preparations  are  made  for  their  recep- 
tion. They  go  arrayed  in  their  holiday  dress,  some- 
times bearing  green  branches  in  their  hands,  and  sing- 


DAY    DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  49 

ing  and  dancing  as  they  advance.  They  are  treated 
with  the  greatest  hospitality  while  they  remain,  and 
return  home  laden  with  presents. 

Polygamy  prevails  among  them,  as  in  every  other 
part  of  Africa.  No  man,  in  their  estimation,  can  be 
"  a  proper  gentleman,"  who  has  but  one  wife.  And, 
strange  to  sa}r,  the  women  participate  in  this  feeling  : 
they  think  it  a  degradation  to  belong  to  a  man  too 
poor  to  purchase  but  one  wife.  The  women  are  con- 
sidered very  valuable  property,  inasmuch  as  they  do  a 
great  part  of  the  work  on  the  rice-farms,  in  addition  to 
bringing  all  the  wood  and  water,  attending  to  house- 
hold matters  generally,  and  nursing  their  children. 

As  may  be  expected  in  such  a  peculiar  state  of  so- 
ciety, where  the  affection  of  the  father  is  necessarily 
divided  among  several  families,  the  children  cling 
more  closely  to  their  mothers  ;  and  there  is  nothing  a 
mother  will  not  attempt  in  defense  of  her  children. 
Within  our  own  knowledge,  a  Grrebo  woman  success- 
fully contended  with  a  leopard  which  had  attacked 
her  infant  child.  Very  little  systematic  control,  how- 
ever, is  exercised  by  either  parent ;  and  they  are,  for 
the  most  part,  utterly  disobedient  and  reckless  of  pa- 
rental authority.  As  they  are  taught  in  their  earliest 
infancy  to  steal  and  lie,  and  to  indulge  in  other  gross 
vices,  nothing  better  could  be  expected.  One  most 
cruel  punishment  inflicted  upon  their  children,  when 
they  can  no  longer  bear  with  them,  is  to  rub  red  pep- 
per in  their  eyes. 

The  wives  are  bought  from  their  parents  while  they 
are  still  children,  and  commonly  carried  home  to  be 
trained  up  in  the  houses  of  their  future  husbands. 
3 


50  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

They  always  place  a  string  of  beads  on  the  necks  of 
the  girls,  as  signs  of  their  betrothment.  "We  remem- 
ber on  one  occasion,  being  somewhat  puzzled  when  we 
asked  an  interesting  little  heathen  girl,  not  over  six 
years  old,  if  she  would  not  like  to  come  to  our  mis- 
sion school,  to  hear  her  little  companions  cry  out, 
pointing  to  her  neck  :  "  She  can't  come  ;  see,  she  has 
got  a  husband." 

The  price  of  a  wife  is  generally  two  or  three  bul- 
locks, a  little  cloth,  etc.,  not  exceeding  in  all  twenty 
dollars.  The  husband  is  always  expected  to  provide  a 
separate  house  for  each  of  his  wives ;  but  even  this 
precaution  can  not  prevent  the  quarrels  and  strife 
which  are  continually  occurring  among  the  different 
wives  and  children.  The  wives  are  never  treated  as 
equals.  They  are  not  allowed  to  sit  down  to  a  meal 
with  their  husbands ;  but  after  they  have  prepared 
their  food,  they  are  required  in  their  presence  to  taste 
it,  to  show  that  it  has  not  been  poisoned.  This  pro- 
cess is  called,  "taking  off  the  witch." 

Though  not  much  given  to  dress,  they  are  exceed- 
ingly fond  of  ornaments.  Two  or  three  yards  of 
cloth  suffice  for  the  body,  but  they  must  have  a  great 
number  of  brass  or  ivory  rings  for  the  arms  and 
ankles — often  with  small  bells  attached — and  as  many 
beads  as  they  can  crowd  on  their  necks.  With  the 
men,  the  greatest  ambition  in  the  way  of  dress  is  a 
European  hat.  "We  have  often  seen  individuals,  the 
rest  of  whose  clothes  have  not  cost  over  fifty  cents, 
parading  in  a  beaver  worth  three  or  four  dollars. 
They,  too,  wear  on  their  wrists  and  ankles  ivory  rings, 
on  which,  if  they  are  kroomen,  their  names  are  carved, 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  51 

or  rather  the  titles  given  to  them  in  jest  by  the  cap- 
tains with  whom  they  have  sailed :  "  Jack  Africa," 
"  Trust  Money,"  and  "  Bottle  of  Beer,"  are  favorite 
cognomens. 

They  are  generally  fond  of  intoxicating  drinks,  and 
almost  the  first  article  they  demand  from  vessels  is 
rum.  They  have  no  intoxicating  drink  of  their 
own,  except  the  sap  of  the  palm  tree,  which  is  ob- 
tained by  tapping  the  tree.  When  a  few  clays  old, 
palm  wine  tastes  very  much  like  hard  cider ;  but  when 
perfectly  fresh,  it  has  a  faint  sweet  taste.  It  will  not 
intoxicate,  unless  taken  in  large  quantities.  The  palm 
tree  is  one  of  God's  greatest  blessings  to  the  poor  Af- 
rican ;  as  from  it  they  get  food  and  drink,  while  the 
oil  obtained  from  its  nuts  is  the  chief  medium  of  ex- 
change between  them  and  foreign  nations.  They  carry 
their  palm  oil  to  the  trading  vessels,  and  obtain  in  ex- 
change European  cloth  and  other  commodities.  They 
also  carry  on  a  trade  in  cam-wood,  which  produces  a 
very  fine  red  dye ;  but  as  this  tree  does  not  grow  on 
the  sea-coast,  the  Greboes  have  to  obtain  it  from  the 
tribes  in  the  interior ;  and  hence  the  importance  of 
christianizing  this  and  other  sea-coast  tribes,  that  they 
may  influence  for  good  those  with  whom  they  are 
thus  brought  in  contact. 

The  Greboes  are  divided  into  twelve  separate  fami- 
lies, and  these  have  been  kept  distinct  for  generations. 
Each  family  has  a  head  man,  or  patriarch,  who  is 
generally  the  oldest  male  of  his  family.  The  princi- 
pal property  of  all  the  members  of  the  family  is  held 
as  a  common  stock,  and  can  not  be  disposed  of  with- 
out the  consent  of  the  head  man.     He  is  the  repre- 


52  DAY   DAWN  IN   AFRICA. 

sentative  of  his  family  in  all  public  discussions,  and  is 
held  responsible  for  the  good  behavior  of  its  members. 

"When  one  is  wronged  by  an  individual,  he  consid- 
ers himself  fully  revenged  if  he  can  retaliate  on  any 
member  of  the  offender's  family.  A  man  belonging 
to  a  family  down  the  coast,  was  killed  some  time  since 
by  a  Nyarribo  man,  and  one  of  his  family  came  up,  and 
offered  to  enlist  with  the  Cavalla  people,  who  hap- 
pened to  be  at  war  with  the  Nyamhoes  ;  as  soon  as  he 
had  killed  one  man  of  the  Nyambo  family,  he  de- 
serted and  returned  home,  exulting  in  the  thought 
that  he  had  freed  his  family  from  disgrace,  and  ap- 
peased the  ku  or  spirit  of  his  murdered  kinsman. 

The  Greboes,  though  most  implacable  enemies,  are 
characterized  by  cheerfulness,  humor,  and  fondness  for 
fables.  While  working  on  their  farms,  it  is  not  un 
common  for  one  to  cheer  the  rest  by  the  enliveuing 
sounds  of  the  horn,  and  by  telling  amusing  fables. 
They  have  also  boat-songs  similar  to  those  sung  by 
the  slaves  in  our  Southern  States.  The  helmsman 
cries,  Batio,  (attend  ye,)  and  the  crew  responding,  Bate, 
(we  do  attend,)  he  begins  an  impromptu  song,  in  jDraise 
of  some  one  they  are  rowing,  and  the  others  join  in  a 
chorus. 

They  are  very  close  observers  of  persons  and  things, 
and  often  give  names  indicative  of  character  or  man- 
ner. We  remember  one  poor  fellow,  whom  they  called 
"Jeoboloah"  or  ship,  because  he  staggered  along  in  a 
peculiarly  awkward  manner.  To  a  missionary,  who 
had  a  very  erect  person,  and  walked  with  a  measured 
tread,  they  gave  the  name  of  "  war  man ;"  and  this 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  53 

very  individual,  though  they  knew  nothing  of  it,  had 
in  his  youth  belonged  to  the  army. 

Almost  every  settlement  of  any  importance  has  a 
king  ;  but  his  power  is  very  limited,  and  the  govern- 
ment is  much  more  of  a  democracy  than  a  monarchy. 
The  NyeHba.de,  or  old  men,  wield  more  power  appar- 
ently than  the  king.  No  enactment  of  his  is  enforced 
until  sanctioned  by  the  voice  of  the  people.  The  Bo- 
did,  or  high  priest  who  is  anointed  and  set  apart  by 
the  people,  generally  presides  in  all  their  public  assem- 
blies. He  is  a  prince  as  well  as  priest,  and  lives  in  an 
anointed  house — differing  in  appearance  from  the  other 
houses — provided  by  his  people.  To  his  care  are  in- 
trusted the  town  gree-grees,  or  idols ;  by  him  are  offered 
up  the  sacrifices ;  and  to  his  house,  which  in  some 
respects  seems  to  correspond  to  the  Jewish  city  of 
refuge,  criminals  flee  for  protection,  and  from  it  no 
one  can  be  taken  without  his  sanction.  His  people 
are  bound  to  provide  him  with  the  best  of  food :  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  he  is  subjected  to  many  painful 
restrictions  ;  one  of  the  most  foolish  and  inconvenient 
is,  that  which  prohibits  the  Bodid  from  tasting  food  in 
the  town  while  a  dead  body  is  lying  there.  He  is  not 
allowed  to  become  intoxicated  on  any  occasion,  or  to 
mourn  the  death  of  any  of  his  family. 

The  office  is  hereditary,  and  the  badge,  an  iron  ring 
worn  on  the  ankle,  is  regarded  with  much  veneration 
by  the  people.  It  is  a  post  of  great  clanger,  from  the 
fact  that  his  people  expect  him  to  insure  them  success 
in  all  their  undertakings  ;  and  when  misfortunes  over- 
take them,  lie  is  regarded  as  the  author,  and  frequent- 
ly loses  his  life  by  the  dreaded  gMu  ordeal. 


54  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

Another  important  class  of  the  people  is  the  Sedibo, 
or  soldiery,  composed  of  the  middle-aged  men.  They 
are  the  strongest  body  in  the  town,  and,  though  ex- 
ceedingly rapacious  themselves,  often  aid  in  securing 
justice  for  foreigners. 

The  Deydbo,  or  demon-men,  whom  we  shall  describe 
hereafter,  exert,  through  their  superstitious  practices, 
a  -much  more  powerful  influence  over  their  people, 
than  any  other  class. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  we  have  met  with  the 
following  account  of  the  Greboes,  from  the  pen  of 
Bishop  Payne  ;  and  as  it  is  fuller  in  some  points  than 
the  preceding  one,  we  will  add  it  in  this  connection  : 

"  The  Grebo  tribe  extends  thirty  miles  along  the 
coast,  from  Cavalla  to  Fishtown  river. 

"  The  Greboes  emigrated  probably  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years  ago,  to  the  territory  now  occupied 
by  them,  from  the  leeward  coast.  The  point  of  their 
debarkation  was  just  below  Grand  Bereby.  They 
lived  a  short  distance  from  the  coast,  and  constituted 
part  of  a  tribe  still  living  in  that  region,  and  known 
as  the  '  Worebo.'  A  crowded  population  appears  to 
have  led  to  the  emigration. 

"  The  name  Grebo  is  composed  of  Gre  and  bo.  The 
latter  designates  a  class,  (for  example,  degu,  a  doctor ; 
degu-bo,  doctors.)  The  former,  '  Gre,'  is  the  name  of 
a  species  of  monkey  which  leap  with  remarkable  agil- 
ity. In  getting  off  from  the  shore  at  the  time  of  emi- 
gration, it  appears  that  many  canoes  were  capsized. 
The  Grebo  word  for  capsize  is  wore,  and  hence  those 
who  capsized  and  remained  were  called  Worebo.    Those 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  55 

■who  were  successful  in  embarking,  leaping  over  the 
waves  like  the  '  Gre,'  were  styled  Grebo. 

"  The  Greboes,  proceeding  up  the  coast  in  their 
canoes,  landed  at  different  points  as  they  became  tired, 
and  where  they  found  water,  formed  small  settlements. 
The  coast  at  that  time  appears  to  have  been  uninhab- 
ited ;  only  at  Cape  Palmas,  tradition  relates  that  a 
s:: rill  settlement  of  whites  was  found.  These  were 
probably  Portuguese  and  slave-traders.  The  first  settle- 
ments of  the  Greboes  in  this  region  were  not  perma- 
nent. They  proceeded  at  different  times  up  the  coast, 
until  they  readied  Grand  Sestres,  where  contact  with 
other  tribes,  and  a  partial  accession  from  them,  pro- 
duced a  modification  of  the  language  and  of  the  tribe. 
At  length,  directed  by  an  oracle,  the  scattered  settle- 
ments of  the  Greboes  retraced  their  steps  to  the  lee- 
ward. The  great  body  proceeded  at  once,  and  settled 
at  Cape  Palmas,  although  subsequently  considerable 
numbers  followed,  and  became  engrafted  into  the  tribe. 
From  Cape  Palmas,  (Bulmle  Lit,)  Rocktown  (Taake) 
was  colonized ;  and  subsequently,  after  considerable 
intervals,  Grahwah,  (Blege,)  and  the  river  Cavalla 
towns,  ( Wattah  and  Koblah.)  Again,  from  Rocktown 
were  colonized  Middleton,  (Lede,)  Fishtown,  {Wah,) 
and  Ilalf  Cavalla,  (Bwede.)  The  names  here  given  are 
those  of  the  seven  principal  Grebo  towns,  having  an 
aggregate  population  of  about  twenty-five  thousand. 

"  The  constitution  of  the  Grebo  tribe  is  patriarchal, 
although  the  government  is  almost  purely  democratic. 
There  are  in  it  twelve  families,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
ancient  people  of  God,  deriving  their  names,  probably, 
from  the  emigrant  patriarch  or  father.     Their  appella- 


56  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

tives  are  Nyambo,  Grebo,  etc.  In  nearly  every  one  of 
the  Grebo  settlements  above  enumerated,  there  are 
parts  of  these  families,  having  in  each  case  their  dis- 
tinct head  man  or  patriarch.  This  patriarch  usually 
occupies  a  particular  portion  of  the  town,  with  his 
sons,  grandsons,  and  relatives  around  him.  The  male 
members  of  these  deposit  with  the  patriarch  a  portion 
of  the  money  which  they  accumulate,  and  the  latter 
in  return  pays  the  betrothment  money  (about  twenty 
dollars)  for  wives,  as  well  as  the  fines  and  expenses, 
from  any  source,  to  which  they  may  be  liable. 

"  Besides  these  duties  to  their  relatives  with  whom 
they  are  connected,  the  patriarchs  collectively  consti- 
tute an  upper  court  or  senate  in  the  body  politic.  To 
this  body  belongs  the  right  of  originating  plans  for 
promoting  the  public  weal ;  to  them  are  referred  ques- 
tions involving  international  rights  and  relations  in 
the  jDremises,  and  by  them  claims  growing  out  of  such 
relations  are  met.  Indeed,  in  all  matters  of  grave  in- 
terest, whether  domestic  or  foreign,  the  voice  of  the 
patriarchs  must  be  heard. 

"  But  the  most  influential  class  in  every  Grebo  com- 
munity is  the  Sedibo.  This  is  most  emphatically  the 
1  house  of  representatives,'  the  popular  house,  for  it  is 
composed  of  all  males  beyond  the  age  of  eighteen  or 
twenty,  except  the  patriarchs.  Usually,  as  soon  as  a 
young  man  is  married  and  has  a  house,  he  pays 
into  the  treasuiy  of  the  Sedibo  a  bullock,  goat,  half- 
bushel  of  rice,  and  thenceforth,  unless  convicted  of 
witchcraft,  is  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  the  Sedibo.  These  are  by  no  means  inconsiderable. 
They  combine  the  legislative  and  executive  powers ; 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFIUCA.  57 

for  although  the  patriarchs  may  originate  and  advise, 
the  Sedibo,  the  people  in  lawful  assembly,  must  discuss 
and  resolve,  before  any  action  can  be  had  or  law 
passed ;  and  they  meet  and  make  laws  at  any  time, 
and  in  relation  to  almost  any  thing.  They  meet,  and 
decide  that  a  man  has  stolen  something,  and  for  the 
offense  make  him  pay  a  fowl  or  all  that  he  possesses, 
according  to  their  temper  towards  him.  They  deter- 
mine that  a  certain  man  has  been  guilty  of  witchcraft, 
and  give  him  gidu,  and  kill  him.  The  fines  imposed 
by  this  body  are  divided  according  to  hereditary  right. 
Thus,  for  example,  if  a  bullock  is  slain,  one  man,  by 
hereditary  right,  takes  the  shoulder,  another  the  neck, 
etc.  These  rights  owe  their  origin  to  the  same  causes 
as  the  titles  in  Europe.  They  were  given  to  ancestors 
for  some  services  rendered,  or  by  some  powerful 
prince,  and  have  thence  come  down  in  lineal  descent 
to  posterity.  The  same  principle  prevails  in  resj^ect 
to  offices,  of  which  there  are  four  principal  ones  in 
every  Grebo  community.  These  are  the  Woraba,  Bo- 
dia,  Ibadia,  and  Tibawa.  The  former  two  are  taken 
from  the  class  of  Nyekbade,  (old  men,)  and  the  latter 
from  the  Sedibo. 

"  The  Wbraba  (literally,  town's  father)  is  the  oldest 
or  most  influential  patriarch,  lineally  descended  from 
the  founder  of  the  town.  In  the  assembly  of  the  pa- 
triarchs, he  takes  precedence  of  all  others,  and  has  the 
largest  share  of  the  perquisites  of  this  body. 

"  The  Bodia  appertains  to  one  family,  but  this  is  by 

appointment  of  an  ancient  oracle.     The  Bodia,  and  in 

fact  the  other  two  offices,  of  which  I  am  to  speak, 

though  belonging  to  particular  families,  are  only  con- 

3* 


58  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFEICA. 

ferred  upon  those  designated  by  some  oracle,  consulted 
in  reference  to  the  appointment.  The  Bodices,  more 
than  any  thing  else,  resembles  the  office  of  high  priest 
among  the  Jews.  The  individual  having  been  desig- 
nated who  is  to  fill  the  office,  on  the  appointed  day  he 
is  installed,  by  a  long  ceremony,  too  tedious  to  de- 
scribe. The  leading  features  are  the  sacrifice  of  a 
goat  to  Kwi,  (demons  and  departed  spirits,)  the  blood 
of  which  is  sprinkled  around  and  inside  the  door-posts 
of  the  Bodia]  s  house.  The  Bodia  is  shaven,  clad  in  a 
new  garment,  has  a  tiger's  tooth  around  his  head,  (this 
is  a  common  ornament  of  gentlemen,)  has  a  monkey's 
skin  prepared,  to  be  placed  always  beneath  him  when 
he  sits,  and  he  is  anointed.  The  house  in  which  he 
lives  is  called,  from  this  circumstance,  Ta-kai,  the 
anointed  house.  During  the  ceremony,  the  patriarchs 
of  the  several  families  in  order  give  the  Bodia  elect 
their  respective  charges  :  '  Let  trade  be  active  ;  cause 
the  earth  to  bring  forth  abundantly;  let  health  pre- 
vail ;  drive  war  far  away ;  let  witchcraft  be  kept  in 
abeyance,'  etc. 

"  Poor  man  !  he  has  a  load  put  upon  him,  which  it 
is  not  wonderful  can  be  borne  only  a  short  time. 
During  his  continuance  in  office,  he  resides  in  the  Ta- 
kai,  or  house  built  by  all  the  people.  He  keeps  the 
public  gree-grees  and  idols,  and  feeds  them  with  rice 
and  oil  every  new  moon.  In  making  sacrifices  for  the 
town  to  departed  friends  and  demons,  he  officiates  as 
high  priest.  He  can  not  sleep  in  any  other  house  in 
the  town  but  his  own  ;  he  may  not  drink  water  on  the 
highway  ;  he  may  not  eat  while  a  corpse  is  in  town  ; 
he  must  not  mourn  for  the  dead ;  if  he  dies  while  in 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  59 

office,  (the  ring  put  on  his  ankle  at  his  inauguration 
having  been  previously  taken  off,  and  placed  on  that 
of  some  member  of  his  family,)  he  must  be  buried  in 
the  stillness  of  the  night,  none  but  the  most  important 
public  functionaries  hearing  of  it,  and  none  mourning 
for  him  when  his  death  is  made  public.  All  Grebo 
Bodias,  too,  must  be  buried  on  the  island  off  Cape  Pal- 
mas,  if  they  have  died  a  natural  death.  If  they  have 
been  killed  by  gldu,  (sassa-wood,)  they  must  be  buried 
beneath  a  running  stream  of  water. 

"  The  nominal  power  of  the  Boclia  is  very  great,  as 
he  has  a  veto  on  all  questions  brought  before  the  peo- 
ple ;  but  in  practice  is  very  limited,  for  he  dares  not 
act  contrary  to  the  popular  will,  which  he  is,  therefore, 
very  careful  to  ascertain.  In  truth,  of  all  offices,  that 
of  the  Bodia  is  most  comfortless.  This  arises  from  the 
superstitious  notions  and  expectations  connected  with 
the  office.  It  has  been  before  stated,  that  at  his  inau- 
guration he  is  charged  with  matters  which  God  alone 
controls — with  providence.  It  follows,  that  whenever 
adversity  of  any  kind  befalls  the  country,  the  Bodia  is 
held  responsible  for  it :  '  He  has  made  witch' — this  is 
the  solution,  and  many  a  poor  incumbent  has  paid  the 
penalty  with  his  life.  It  is  no  wonder  that  this  high- 
est office  in  the  people's  gift  is  far  from  being  desired, 
and  that  in  the  most  instances,  when  the  oracle  has  de- 
signated the  individual,  they  have  almost  to  '  take  him 
by  force  and  make  him  king.'  The  two  remaining 
offices,  Tibawa  and  Ibadia,  appertain  to  the  Sedibo, 
and  on  a  vacancy  occurring,  are  filled  in  the  same 
manner  as  that  of  Bodia.  These,  too,  are  hereditary 
in  families.     In  the  assembly  of  the  S&dibo,  their  as- 


60  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

sent  must  be  obtained  to  any  measure  before  it  can  be 
carried  into  effect ;  though,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Bo- 
dice, this  assent  is  rather  the  expression  of  the  popular 
will  than  the  guide  of  it.  The  most  important  duties 
of  these  offices  devolve  upon  them  in  time  of  war. 
Then  the  Ibadia  must  always  lead ;  and  in  case  of  re- 
treat or  defeat,  the  latter  must  always  bring  up  the 
rear,  or  cover  the  retreat.  They  are  consequently 
posts  of  the  greatest  danger.  In  reward  for  their 
services,  they  have,  by  hereditary  right,  a  large  share 
of  all  perquisites  of  the  Sedibo. 

"  The  third  class  into  which  every  Grebo  commun- 
ity is  divided,  is  the  Kedibo.  This  is  composed  of 
youths  and  boys  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and 
eleven  to  twelve.  A  small  initiation  fee  admits  any 
one  of  initiable  age  to  this  class.  They  have  a  trea- 
surer, a  kind  of  head,  usually  selected  from  among  the 
elder  Sedibo,  to  take  care  of  their  property.  They 
have  meetings,  at  which  they  discuss  subjects  of  which 
they  have  the  control,  but  are  subject  to  the  direction 
of  the  Sedibo  in  all  important  matters. 

"  The  Kimbo  includes  children  from  six  to  eleven 
years  of  age.  Theirs  is  a  separate  organization,  al- 
though their  rights  and  privileges  are  of  more  limited 
character.  Their  chief  perquisites  are  those  obtained 
for  their  collective  services  in  busy  seasons.  But  it  is 
wonderful  to  witness  the  stormy  debates  of  this  little 
society,  as  well  as  amusing  to  sec  them  punishing  each 
other  for  real  or  alleged  offenses,  by  putting  pepper  in 
their  eyes,  beating  them,  etc. 

"  There  is  a  curious  secret  association  or  society  to 
be  found  in  every  Grebo  community,  styled  Kwi-iru, 


DAT    DAWN    IN   AFRICA.  61 

or  '  children  of  departed  spirits.'  Although  it  is  at- 
tempted to  keep  every  thing  connected  with  this  asso- 
ciation concealed,  it  is  known  to  be  composed  of  per- 
sons of  almost  all  ages  in  the  community,  except 
children.  They  have  a  '  father,'  as  he  is  called,  but 
he  is  never  visible  or  known,  except  to  members  of 
the  society.  When,  as  is  rarely  the  case,  the  lKwi- 
iru*  appear  in  the  day,  the  'father'  is  always  so 
masked  as  to  be  perfectly  disguised.  The  night,  how- 
ever, is  the  usual  time  for  this  strange  association  to 
go  abroad  ;  often  at  midnight,  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
town,  or  in  the  adjoining  bush,  a  sudden,  discordant 
shrieking,  whistling,  yelling,  hideous  noise  bursts  forth, 
as  if  scores  of  spirits  had  been  let  loose  from  the 
lower  world,  and  as  if  their  object  was  to  frighten 
man  from  the  earth.  In  a  tumultuous  body  they  run 
around  and  through  the  town.  Women  and  children 
fly  affrighted  into  their  houses,  and  close  them  up,  for 
a  heavy  fine  would  be  the  penalty  of  their  seeing  and 
being  seen  by  the  mysterious  visitors.  If  in  their 
wild  revellings  they  fancy  to  want  any  thing  from 
any  one,  they  surround  his  house,  and  there  remain, 
}relling,  dancing,  screaming,  and  threatening,  until 
their  demand  is  granted. 

"  The  avowed  object  of  the  association  is  to  seek 
and  to  punish  witches  and  wizards.  These  are  said  to 
be  particularly  active  in  practising  their  arts  at  night. 
They  strip  themselves  naked,  and  go  to  the  houses  of 
those  whose  lives  they  seek  ;  and  especially  is  it  their 
delight  to  visit  and  dance  on  the  graves  of  those 
whom  they  have  succeeded  in  killing  by  their  en- 
chantments.    Wo,  then,  be  to  the,  man  or  woman  who 


62  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

is  seen  walking  around  or  through  the  town  in  the 
night!  The  Kwi-iru  pounce  upon  them,  carry  them 
to  a  house  prepared  for  the  purpose,  put  them  in  the 
top  of  it,  where  they  are  smoked  until  next  day  about 
ten  o'clock,  or  the  usual  time  for  subjecting  them  to 
the  universal  African  test,  gidu,  or  sassa  wood.  Early 
in  the  morning,  an  official  of  the  Kwi-iru  is  dispatched 
to  the  forest,  to  get  the  bark  of  the  gidu  tree.  This 
arrived,  the  accused  person  is  taken  by  the  Kwi-iru  to 
the  field,  there,  in  the  presence  of  the  assembled  town's 
people,  to  be  subjected  to  the  test.  The  officer  of  the 
body  beats  the  bark  in  a  mortar,  pours  water  into  it, 
then  turns  it  out  in  a  wooden  bowl,  and  calls  for  the 
accused  to  come  forward  and  drink.  Holding  the 
bowl  in  his  hand,  he  looks  toward  the  east,  and  says 
in  substance :  '  O  God !  O  God !  0  God !  I  invoke 
thee  four  times.  If  this  person  be  innocent,  cause 
him  to  vomit  this  gidu,  and  escape ;  if  he  be  guilty, 
may  it  kill  him  I'  The  accused  takes  the  bowl,  and 
repeats  the  same  words.  Imnediately  after  doing  thus, 
he  drinks,  and  starts  to  town,  escorted  by  one  or  more 
members  of  the  Kwi-iru,  and  followed  by  the  multi- 
tude.* The  former,  after  reaching  town,  keep  near 
the  accused,  and  force  him  to  walk  incessantly,  until 
it  is  ascertained  that  the  gidu  does  not  affect  him,  or 
he  falls  down  suddenly  dead,  a  victim  to  the  poison. 
As  soon  as  this  takes  place,  a  fiendish  shout  rends  the 

*  On  one  occasion,  when  one  of  our  missionaries  went  to  intercede 
for  a  man  who  was  condemned  to  drink  gidu,  he  was  taken  asido  by  a 
friendly  native,  and  warned  that  it  would  be  dangerous  to  interfere. 
" In  your  country,"  said  he,  "they  hang  man  up  by  the  neck,  s'pose  he 
do  bad ;  gidu  be  our  country  fash  for  witch,  and  all  bad  men." 


DAY   DAWN"   IN   AFRICA.  63 

air :  '  The  witch  is  found — lie  is  killed.'  Tied  by  the 
feet,  the  dead  body  is  dragged  out  to  the  beach,  where 
it  lies  for  some  hours,  exposed  to  the  insults  of  the 
populace.  Before  the  relatives  are  permitted  to  bury 
it,  they  must  purchase  it  from  the  Kwi-iru,  for  a  bul- 
lock, or  something  equivalent.  The  Kwi-iru,  as  a 
kind  of  police,  are  often  employed  by  the  Sedibo  to 
administer  gidu  in  cases  where  persons  are  accused  of 
witchcraft,  either  by  them  or  by  the  Deyabo. 

"  The  last  word,  Deyabo,  designates  the  most  re- 
markable class  among  the  Oreboes.  They  are  the  life 
and  soul  of  their  superstitions.  They  are  commonly 
called  in  English,  demon-men.  or  devil-doctors.  Neither 
term,  however,  conveys  a  correct  impression.  They 
suppose  themselves  possessed  by  a  lhuJ  demon  or 
spirit,  under  whose  inspiration  they  act,  and  give  their 
responses.  They,  in  fact,  do  exhibit  the  peculiarities 
mentioned  in  Scripture,  as  '  possessed.'  They  are 
'  thrown  down  on  the  ground,'  they  '  gnash  with  their 
teeth,'  they  appear  dead,  while  they  utter  strange,  un- 
earthly sounds,  they  '  pine  away.'  Whenever  any  of 
the  above  marks  appear  in  an  individual,  he  is  said  to 
be  '  possessed,'  and  is  at  once  placed  with  an  old  lDeyaf 
to  be  instructed  in  the  arts  and  mysteries  of  the  pro- 
fession. The  novitiate  lasts  from  one  to  three  years, 
according  to  circumstances.  He  is  not  allowed  to 
wear  other  covering  than  some  grass  tied  with  a  cord 
around  the  loins.  He  does  not  wash  ;  has  no  connec- 
tion with  his  wife  or  family;  sleeps  apart,  sits  apart, 
etc.  When  the  instructing  deya  is  satisfied  with  his 
proficiency,  and  the  candidate's  family  get  a  bullock 
ready  to  pay  for  his  education,  a  day  is  appointed  for 


64  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

inducting  him  into  office.  This  is  quite  a  long  cere- 
mony. The  principal  features  only  will  be  here  given. 
The  test  of  the  reality  of  his  '  possession'  is  a  very  sin- 
gular one.  A  fowl  or  duck  is  killed,  and  the  head  cut 
off;  some  of  the  blood  of  this  is  put  upon  the  candi- 
date's eyes,  and  the  head  is  then  taken  away,  and 
thrown  into  the  bushes.  The  candidate  is  now  sent 
to  find  it.  If  he  succeeds,  his  '  possession'  is  real ;  if 
not,  he  is  deceived.  The  latter  case,  however,  seldom 
occurs,  as  good  care  is  taken  that  the  head  shall  be 
found,  and  the  candidate  is  escorted  by  his  relatives 
(usually  on  the  back  of  one  of  them)  to  the  place  of 
ceremony.  There  he  is  divested  of  his  filthy  hair  and 
habiliments  ;  is  clothed  in  the  usual  dress  of  his  class, 
furnished  with  a  stock  of  gree-grees  and  charms,  and 
taken  home  by  his  relatives. 

"  Established  at  home,  he  is  a  most  wonderful  cha- 
racter. Under  the  inspiration  of  his  demon,  there  is 
nothing  he  will  not  accomplish,  nothing  he  can  not 
find  out.  Distance  is  annihilated,  hundreds  of  hearts 
are  known  and  revealed.  Hidden  acts  of  witchcraft 
are  brought  to  light.  The  potent  spells  of  the  deya 
control  winds,  rain,  pestilence,  health,  wealth,  life,  and 
death.  But  it  is  especially  in  reference  to  witchcraft 
that  the  powers  of  the  deyabo  are  invoked  and  exer- 
cised. This  is  the  great  evil  of  the  country — the  one 
most  practised,  the  most  feared.  To  guard  against 
this,  the  deyabo  make  charms  for  the  persons  of  indi- 
viduals, for  their  houses,  for  the  town,  for  the  country. 
By  consulting  their  demons,  they  are  supposed  to  be 
able  at  once  to  designate  the  witch  or  wizard  in  any 
particular  case ;  and  the  word  of  a  deya  is  taken  ordi- 


DAY   DAWN   IN"  AFRICA.  65 

narily  as  sufficient  proof  that  the  party  accused  is 
guilty,  or,  rather,  sufficient  ground  for  subjecting  him 
to  trial  by  gidu.  This  fact,  in  connection  with  the 
popular  belief  that  death  in  all  cases — except  those  of 
infants  and  very  aged  persons — is  caused  by  witch- 
craft, causes  a  general  fear  throughout  the  town  when 
any  one  dies ;  for  any  one  in  town  is  liable  to  be  ar- 
rested at  any  moment,  and  subjected  to  the  dread 
ordeal  of  gidu,  upon  the  mere  ipse  dixit  of  a  Deya. 

"  When  the  Deya  has  consulted  his  demon  and  pre- 
pared his  charms,  it  is  common  with  him  to  say : 
'  Now,  nyena  ba  wenh,  (if  God  wills,)  this  will  accom- 
plish the  good  you  seek,  but  not  otherwise.'  Indeed, 
the  intelligent  Greboes  contend  that  the  whole  system 
of  the  Deyabo  is  by  appointment  of  God.  The  Deya  is 
their  means  of  access  to  God  ;  the  Deya,  speaking  by 
his  demon,  conveys  the  voice  of  God. 

"  Such  is  the  most  intelligent  view  of  the  system  of 
the  Greboes'  superstition.  But  it  contains  within  it- 
self the  elements  of  its  own  destruction  :  for  the  Gre- 
boes believe  that  God  is  holy  and  true  ;  but  the  Deya- 
bo, they  know  by  experience,  are  all  vicious,  and  all 
speak  lies.  It  is  not  wonderful,  therefore,  that  in  the 
light  of  the  Gospel,  the  system  is  losing  its  hold,  and 
the  Deyabo  their  influence  upon  the  people. 

"  The  moral  character  of  the  Greboes  is  substantially 
that  given  in  the  first  chapter  of  Eomans — that  of 
man  every  where,  left  to  himself.  But  it  is  surprising, 
in  their  case,  to  see  how  much  that  is  outwardly  good 
and  pleasant  can  coexist  with  the  inwardly  corrupt, 
and,  indeed,  how  the  latter  contributes  to  the  mani- 
festation of  the  former.     It  has  been  stated  that  witch- 


66  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

craft  (by  winch,  is  meant  the  accomplishing  of  any  ob- 
ject by  magical  preparations)  is  generally  practised. 
The  people  are  also,  of  course,  all  revengeful,  and 
witchcraft  affords  the  means  of  revenging  themselves  ; 
and  as  all  are  conscious  of  evil,  all  fear  evil ;  and  this 
fear  is  the  chief  cause  of  the  great  courtesy  which 
really  characterizes  the  Greboes  in  their  intercourse 
with  each  other. 

"  The  'physical  character  of  the  Greboes  is  not  infe- 
rior to  that  of  any  tribe  on  the  west  coast  of  Africa. 
This  may  be  readily  inferred  from  the  fact  that  they 
are  eagerly  sought  by  vessels  of  war,  as  well  as  by 
traders.  The  class  known  on  the  coast  as  Kroomen, 
(Croomen,  or  Crewmen,)  are,  in  fact,  a  large  portion 
of  them,  Cape  Palmas  or  Grebo  people.  A  great 
many  of  them  are  to  be  found  in  Sierra  Leone,  and, 
indeed,  in  many  of  the  foreign  settlements  from  Sierra 
Leone  to  the  Gaboon  river. 

"  Their  intellectual  character  corresponds  with  the 
physical.  In  our  schools,  the  children  learn  rapidly. 
In  the  meetings  and  councils  of  the  Sedibo  and  peo- 
ple, which  I  have  attended,  I  have  been  struck  with 
the  order,  decorum,  and  mental  acumen  displayed. 
In  grave  assemblies,  each  man  has  his  place  and  his 
time  to  speak ;  when  this  arrives,  he  stands  up,  usu- 
ally holds  a  long  staff  in  his  hand,  and  asks  attention 
by  saying,  'Bateo,'  (attend  all;)  the  assembly  responds, 
1  Bate,'  (we  attend;)  after  he  has  finished,  the  next  in 
order  takes  the  staff,  and  proceeds  in  like  manner. 
And  in  examining  evidence,  they  are  most  thorough  ; 
and  keen,  indeed,  must  be  the  foreign  casuist  who  can 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  67 

get  the  advantage  of  them  on  matters  coming  within 
the  range  of  their  knowledge  and  experience 

"The  geographical  position  of  the  Greboes,  in  con- 
nection with  their  physical  and  intellectual  character, 
affords  ground  to  hope  that  they  are  destined  to  be 
instruments  of  extreme  good  amongst  the  numerous 
tribes  in  their  vicinity.  They  are  situated  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Cavalla  river,  navigable  for  canoes  and 
boats  about  seventy  miles,  and  having  on  its  banks 
some  twelve  tribes.  With  these  tribes  the  Greboes 
have  daily  intercourse,  and  they  speak  dialects  so 
nearly  alike,  that  they  are  readily  understood  by  each 
other.  It  is  probable,  too,  that  books  published  in 
Grebo  will  be  understood  by  all  these  tribes.  Hence 
it  follows,  that  to  christianize  the  Greboes  will  be  at 
once  to  diffuse  its  blessings  throughout  these  tribes." 

The  Grebo  tongue  has  been  reduced  to  writing  by 
Bishop  Payne,  and  part  of  the  Old  and  much  of  the 
New  Testament  translated  into  it,  beside  liturgies,  cate- 
chisms, and  other  small  books. 


€(raptu   fifth 

"A  lakd  of  darkness,  as  darkness  itself." — Job  10  :  22. 

Those  who  have  always  lived  in  the  cheering  light 
of  the  Gospel,  can  have  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  gross 
spiritual  darkness  which  envelopes  the  heathen. 

The  Greboes  have,  it  is  true,  a  vague  idea  of  a  one 
Supreme  Being,  whom  they  call  Nyesoa,  and  who,  as 
they  believe,  is  the  creator  of  all  things,  but  they  offer 
him  no  sacrifices,  and  pay  him  no  homage ;  on  the 
contrary,  they  are  continually  making  propitiatory 
offerings  to  inferior  spirits.  They  have  no  idea  what- 
ever of  future  punishments,  or  their  need  of  a  Saviour, 
and  yet  their  minds  are  held  in  life-long  bondage, 
through  fear  of  evil  spirits,  who,  they  imagine,  are 
ever  surrounding  them  with  hurtful  designs. 

Almost  every  heathen  family  believes  they  have  a 
presiding  genius,  or  ku,  to  whom  they  are  bound  to 
pay  especial  honor,  and  this  spirit  they  dread  exceed- 
ingly to  offend.  This  kit  is  not  unfrequently  one  of 
their  deceased  ancestors.  In  addition  to  these  family 
spirits,  which  seem  in  some  degree  to  accord  with  the 
household  gods  of  the  ancients ;  the  Greboes  worship 
public  spirits,  who  are  not  supposed  ever  to  have  in- 
habited human  bodies.  These  they  locate  in  retired 
groves,  caves,  or  picturesque  rocks  on  the  borders  of 
the  ocean.     Bidl  Nyima,  who  is  said  to  dwell  in  the 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  69 

cavity  of  a  large  rock,  called  Grand  Devil  place,  is  one 
of  the  most  celebrated.  One  of  the  missionaries,  who 
has  recently  visited  the  place,  thus  describes  it : 

"  We  reached  Hidie,  the  place  of  our  destination, 
about  eleven  o'clock.  This  is  about  eleven  miles  dis- 
tant from  our  Cavalla  station.  There  are  three  villages 
in  the  settlement,  one  being  very  small.  It  is  nearest 
the  smallest  one,  up  a  stream,  that  the  '  Grand  Devil ' 
has  his  seat.  Like  the  temple  of  Mecca,  it  has  its 
devotees,  going  on  long  pilgrimages,  to  see  for  once  in 
their  lives  this  wonderful  place.  The  Grand  Devil, 
who,  as  the  natives  say,  'passes  all  other  devils,'  is  wont 
to  perform  his  '  lying  wonders '  behind,  or  in  the  hol- 
low of  a  rock ;  of  course  no  white  man  would  be 
allowed  to  go  too  near  it,  as  the  poor  dupes  are  not. 
I  did  not  even  ask  for  the  privilege.  This  wonderful 
'invisible  one  '  is  said  to  work  all  kinds  of  cures,  tell 
fortunes,  solve  hard  and  knotty  questions,  and  so  may 
be  said  to  have,  in  the  native  sense,  all  knowledge  and 
all  power. 

"  The  truth  is,  a  demon  doctor,  {deyd,)  who  has  skill 
and  tact  for  his  business,  secretes  himself  behind  the 
rock,  he  perhaps  first  learning  through  some  accom- 
plice, all  about  the  pilgrim — his  name,  his  family,  his 
character,  and  the  object  of  his  visit.  This  has  been 
learned  privately  from  the  stranger  without  his  hardly 
being  aware  of  it.  He,  on  the  day  appointed,  takes 
his  stand  as  directed,  near  enough  the  mysterious  rock 
to  communicate  with  its  still  more  mysterious  inhabit- 
ant. With  amazement  he  listens  to  a  voice  that  seems 
to  come,  as  it  were,  from  a  sepulchre,  and  tells  him 
almost  all  that  he  ever  did.     The  spirit  has  told  him 


70  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

what  he  wished  to  know,  and  he  receives  an  answer 
of  peace,  at  least  such  an  one  as  he  hoped  to  receive. 
The  dupe  pays  an  enormous  fee  to  some  assistant,  and 
goes  away  and  'speaks  the  wonders  all  abroad.' 
Hundreds,  no  doubt,  annually  come  far  and  near,  thus 
to  be  deceived  and  fleeced." 

The  Greboes,  like  other  Africans,  live  in  perpetual 
fear  of  witchcraft.  The  origin  of  witchcraft  is  de- 
scribed by  the  old  men  as  follows  :  "  There  was  once 
a  time  when  God  walked  with  man,  and  man  talked 
with  him  as  with  a  friend,  and  then  there  was  no  sick- 
ness, or  sorrow,  or  death.  But  one  day,  a  woman  went 
into  the  bush  to  get  some  herbs  to  season  her  husband's 
food  with ;  and  while  there,  a  snake  showed  her  leaves, 
which  contained  a  deadly  fruit,  called  we*  or  witch- 
craft. The  woman  took  of  the  leaves,  brought  them 
to  her  husband,  and  he  ate  xof  them,  and  died.  The 
woman,  before  she  died,  imparted  the  secret  to  others, 
and  many  began  to  die,  till  at  length  death  prevailed 
over  the  land,  and  now  all  must  die." 

They  believe  that  almost  every  death  is  caused  by 
witchcraft,  and  that  none  die  a  natural  death,  except, 
perhaps,  some  very  old  persons  and  a  few  young  child- 
ren. "When  a  friend  dies,  therefore,  anger  and  revenge 
absorb  their  minds  even  more  than  grief.  Their  first 
business  is  to  find  tbe  murderer,  and  for  this  purpose 
a  cleyd,  or  demon-man  is  consulted  ;  he  generally  points 
out  as  the  criminal  some  one  who  has  borne  ill-will  to 
the  deceased ;  and  not  unfrequently  takes  this  oppor- 
tunity to  revenge  himself  against  some  enemy  of  his 
own. 

*  See  Appendix. 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  71 

The  person  pointed  out  by  the  deyd  as  a  witch,  un- 
less he  flees  for  his  life,  is  compelled  to  go  through  the 
deadly  ordeal  of  gldu,  or  sassa  wood.  This  consists 
in  drinking  a  decoction  of  the  gldu  tree,  a  very  poison- 
ous narcotic.  Before  drinking  the  poison,  the  victim 
calls  upon  God  three  times  to  attest  his  innocence.  If 
death  is  the  consequence,  the  guilt  of  the  individual  is 
established  ;  and  the  most  shocking  and  cruel  indigni- 
ties are  heaped  upon  him  in  his  dying  hours.  Even 
the  little  children  are  encouraged  to  drag  and  stone  the 
wretched  victim  until  life  is  extinct.  The  dead  body 
lies  exposed  on  the  ground  until  the  sun  goes  down, 
and  then  it  is  hurried  away  to  the  burying-ground  for 
criminals,  and  hastily  interred  ;  and  for  him  alone  the 
voice  of  weeping  and  lamentation  is  not  heard.  Even 
his  immediate  family  are  not  allowed  to  show  signs  of 
grief.  In  a  painful  case,  which  came  under  our  own 
observation,  where  the  victim  was  a  person  of  superior 
rank — being  a  Bodid,  or  high  priest — the  body  lay, 
during  the  whole  day,  exposed  on  the  beach,  and  was 
dragged  away  about  sunset,  and  buried  alone  in  a 
marsh.  This  is  said  to  be  the  common  fete  of  all  the 
Bodids,  who  perish  by  the  ordeal  of  g'idu. 

All  persons  who  escape  death  by  this  ordeal  have  a 
public  triumph.  If  they  be  women,  they  dress  them- 
selves in  their  finest  holiday  attire,  paint  their  faces, 
hang  bells  around  their  persons,  and  promenade 
through  the  town,  accompanied  by  a  troop  of  their 
own  people.  Sometimes  a  man  walks  by  the  side  of 
the  woman,  and  holds  over  her  an  umbrella — the  only 
time  in  her  life  she  is  thus  honored  ;  for  on  all  other 
occasions  she  is  required  by  custom  to  walk  behind 


72  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

her  husband.  As  she  dances  triumphantly  along,  tink- 
ling her  bells,  she  joins  the  company  in  an  impromptu 
song,  setting  forth  her  praises.  The  men,  who  escape, 
make  a  similar  demonstration. 

The  sassa-wood  victim  is  sometimes  pointed  out  in  a 
singular  manner.  An  instance  of  this  kind  occurred 
near  one  of  our  mission  stations.  A  man  died  sud- 
denly on  the  road,  and  as  the  bearers  were  bringing 
the  corpse  to  town,  it  struck  against  the  house  of  his 
brother.  This  was  an  indication  that  this  brother  had 
caused  the  death  by  witchcraft.  The  terrified  inmate, 
knowing  well  that  he  would  soon  be  compelled  to  drink 
the  deadly  sassa-wood  for  a  crime  of  which  he  was 
entirely  innocent,  fled  to  the  mission-house  for  protec- 
tion.  In  a  very  little  time  the  sedibo,  or  soldiery,  were 
in  eager  pursuit,  and  fiercely  demanded  that  he  should 
be  given  up  to  them.  The  missionary  refusing  to  do 
so,  they  left  the  house,  after  making  a  great  noise.  In 
a  short  time  they  returned,  bringing  the  corpse  along  with 
them,  and  firing  guns  as  they  approached.  "When  they 
got  opposite  the  gateway,  they  pretended  that  the 
corpse  would  not  pass  the  mission-house — so  it  was 
carried  into  the  yard,  and  shaken  violently  about,  to 
convey  the  impression  that  it  was  in  pursuit  of  its  sup- 
posed murderer.  Eunning  rapidly  around  the  house, 
it  struck  against  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  porch,  and  it 
was  now  settled  to  a  certainty  that  the  unfortunate 
refugee  within  was  the  criminal. 

On  this  occasion,  however,  the  victim  was  spared,  at 
least  for  the  time,  the  deadly  ordeal,  through  the  inter- 
cession of  the  missionaries.  We  say  for  the  time,  be- 
cause it  not  unfrequently  happens  that  persons  thus 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  73 

rescued,  have  afterwards  voluntarily  subjected  them- 
selves to  the  ordeal,  because  they  could  uot  endure  the 
public  odium  which  always  attends  a  suspected  witch. 

The  deydbo,  demon-doctors,  or  fetish  men,  as  they 
are  variously  called,  have  unbounded  influence  over 
their  people ;  and  it  will  be  in  vain  to  expect  any  great 
advance  in  civilization  among  the  Greboes,  while  these 
men  retain  their  power ;  but  it  has  been  very  much 
shaken  lately. 

The  deydbo  make  their  living  by  the  manufacture  of 
idols,  or  gree-grees,  giving  remedies  for  the  sick,  and 
pointing  out  witches  and  other  criminals.  These  gree- 
grees,  or  charms,  as  they  may  more  properly  be  called, 
are  of  various  descriptions.  Some  of  them  are  simply 
deer  or  sheep  horns  strung  together ;  others  consist  of 
small  bags  filled  with  earth  and  vegetable  matter,  or 
bits  of  wood  strung  together,  and  worn  round  the 
neck  as  charms  to  protect  against  sickness,  witches, 
and  death.  Many,  of  a  larger  size,  are  hung  up  in 
their  houses,  in  their  rice-fields,  and  on  the  beach,  to 
insure  them  success  in  all  their  worldly  undertakings. 

Many  of  their  superstitions  are  extremely  ludicrous 
— none  more  so,  perhaps,  than  their  attempt  to  frighten 
away  thunder-storms,  by  firing  guns  and  beating  drums. 

An  amusing  incident,  illustrating  their  superstitious 
dread  of  sickness,  is  described  in  the  journal  of  Rev. 
George  W.  Home : 

"Sept.  15th. — This  morning  several  natives  came  into 
the  apartment  in  which  we  were  sitting  at  breakfast, 
and  noisily  demanded  permission  to  cut  down  a  palm- 
tree  upon  the  mission-ground.  I  understood  them  to 
say  that  their  god  had  directed  them  to  cut  it  down. 

4 


71-  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFKICA. 

At  the  time,  however,  I  refused  to  receive  them  or 
talk  with  them,  and  told  them  I  was  at  breakfast,  and 
they  must  go  down  and  wait.  After  some  minutes  I 
went  to  them,  and  found  that  they  had  fallen  on  poor 
Musu,  reproaching  him  with  disregarding  his  country, 
because  he  had  remonstrated  against  their  proceedings. 
One  man  had  proposed  to  take  an  axe  and  fell  the  tree 
at  once,  and  Musu  told  him  to  do  it,  but  warned  him 
that  all  the  trouble  that  might  grow  out  of  such  an  act 
would  fall  upon  him.  They  replied,  when  I  demanded 
of  them  what  was  wanted,  that  they  intended  to  cut 
down  the  palm  tree  and  jungles  generally,  to  prepare 
the  rice-farms  and  make  palm- wine ;  and  that,  on  con- 
sulting a  demon-man,  he  had  told  them  to  do  so,  but 
to  cut  down  the  palm  tree  on  the  mission-ground  first  of 
all,  or  there  tvould  be  sickness  among  them.  God,  there- 
fore, they  said,  had  sent  them  to  take  that  tree. 

"  'Yery  well,'  I  replied,  'as  soon  as  you  satisfy  me 
that  God  has  said,  "  Cut  down  that  tree,"  I  will  con- 
sent to  it.' 

"  This  was  an  unexpected  answer,  evidently,  and 
perplexed  them;  at  length  one  of  them  said  that  a 
man  in  the  town  had  told  them  that  God  said  so. 
'What  man?'  I  asked.  They  seemed  unwilling  to 
give  any  answer.  '  Who  is  he  ?'  I  again  asked.  '  The 
king,'  they  at  length  replied.  'What  is  his  name?' 
'Bodia,  and  Tom  Cavalla,'  they  finally  stated.  These 
are  the  two  principal  men  in  the  town,  and  appear 
really  friendly  to  the  missionaries.  I  do  not  believe 
they  sent  to  make  any  such  demand,  unless,  perhaps, 
urged  by  their  people,  they  might  have  said,  '  Go,  ask 
Mr.  Home.'     I  took  the  party,  however,  at  their  word, 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  75 

and  said,  '  Tell  the  Bodia  and  Tom  Cavalla  to  come ; 
I  will  talk  to  them  about  this  matter;'  but  they  came 
not,  and  the  tree  yet  stands." 

They  always  secrete  their  sick,  to  keep  them  out  of 
the  way  of  the  witch  who  has  caused  the  sickness.  In 
his  last  hours,  the  poor,  harassed  invalid  is  moved 
from  house  to  house,  not  unfrequently  from  town  to 
town,  to  avoid  this  imaginary  foe.  Sometimes  instead 
of  concealing  them,  a  class  of  men,  called  "Kwi"  or 
devils,  go  around  the  town  warning  people  not  to  witch 
their  side.  A  curious  illustration  of  this  practice  is 
described  in  the  journal  of  Eev.  C.  C olden  Hoffman  : 

"  Oct.  10th,  1852. — Went  this  afternoon  to  Nyaro  to 
preach.  While  waiting  for  the  people  to  assemble,  a 
man  came  running  into  town,  uttering  some  wild 
exclamations.  At  once  every  door  was  closed,  and 
not  a  woman  was  to  be  seen.  Soon  a  noise  of  voices 
and  tramping  of  feet  were  heard  in  the  direction  of  the 
town-gate,  and  a  party  of  about  fifty  men  approached, 
making,  as  they  quickly  walked,  yells  and  fiend-like 
sounds,  brandishing  at  the  same  time  their  cutlasses  in 
the  air ;  and  after  going  around  the  town,  they  came 
to  the  house  of  the  head  man,  and  seated  themselves  in 
front  of  his  door  :  after  they  had  arranged  themselves, 
the  herald  who  first  announced  their  approach,  ran 
about  the  town  giving  notice  that  the  doors  of  the 
houses  could  be  opened,  and  then  appeared,  one  after 
another,  the  women  of  the  head  man's  family,  and  of 
another  family,  his  neighbors,  and  seated  themselves 
near  the  house,  in  all  about  twelve.  The  herald  then 
approached,  and  flourishing  his  cutlass,  ivarned  the  wo- 
men against  witching  the  sick  child  of  the  Jiead  man. 


76  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

After  this  they  were  allowed  to  go  to  their  houses — 
all  doors  were  again  closed,  and  the  men  rising  left  the 
town  in  the  same  way  as  they  entered  it,  with  fierce 
cries  and  yells. 

"These men  are  called  the  lKwi^  or  ' Devils' — a  class 
among  the  people  composed  of  youths  from  twenty  to 
men  of  fifty  years.  They  had  been  called  by  the  head 
man  to  prevent  witchcraft  being  exercised  against  his 
child  who  was  ill.  No  woman  is  allowed  to  see  them 
under  penalty  of  a  heavy  fine ;  when  they  come,  there- 
fore, every  door  is  shut.  After  they  left,  I  went  to 
our  little  chapel  and  j)reached  on  the  death  of  Laza- 
rus." 

They  believe  in  the  transmigration  of  souls;  and 
think  the  spirits  of  their  deceased  ancestors  often  reap- 
pear in  the  bodies  of  new-born  infants,  and  sometimes 
in  monkeys.  Hence  the  numerous  monkeys  which  fre- 
quent the  burial-groves,  can  play  with  impunity ;  for 
there  alone  they  are  perfectly  safe,  as  it  is  regarded  a 
great  crime  to  shoot  one  among  the  graves.  The  dead 
are  supposed  to  have  great  power  over  their  surviving 
friends,  and  they  are  continually  trying  to  propitiate 
them,  by  offering  them  food,  and  also  by  kindling  fires 
near  the  graves  of  their  most  illustrious  ancestors. 

In  solemn  assemblies,  the  dead  are  sometimes 
invoked  as  witnesses  to  some  important  public  transac- 
tion, the  speaker,  on  such  occasions,  turning  his  face 
toward  the  burial-grove.  Before  the  body  is  interred, 
surviving  friends  often  give  messages  to  it,  to  be  con- 
veyed to  friends  in  the  spirit  world,  which  are,  for  the 
most  part,  requests  for  success  in  their  worldly  under- 
takings.    On  one  occasion,  while  a  missionary  was 


DAY   DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  7i 

preaching  "  Jesus  and  the  resurrection  "  to  a  crowd  of 
people  assembled  around  a  dead  body,  (laid  out  in  state 
for  the  public  view,)  we  observed  a  woman  stoop  down 
and  whisper,  with  apparent  pleasure,  into  the  ear  of 
the  deceased.  Upon  asking  a  bystander  what  she 
said,  we  were  told  that  she  was  telling  the  corpse  that 
"  a  white  man  had  come  there  to  speak  his  praises." 

The  kings,  warriors,  and  head  men  are  generally 
buried  apart  from  the  mass  of  the  people,  and  have 
houses  erected  over  them,  and  tables  set  out,  covered 
with  crockery  ware,  etc ;  .  .  .  no  one  daring  to 
touch  a  morsel  of  the  food  thus  exposed.  From  the 
roofs  of  the  houses  numerous  flags  float  in  the  air,  and 
seats  are  placed  in  front  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
spirit.  The  sacred  groves  where  the  people  bury  their 
dead  are  sometimes  very  beautiful ;  but  it  must  ever 
sadden  a  Christian  heart  to  see  around  the  canoe-cov- 
ered graves  propitiatory  offerings  of  furniture  and  food 
to  spirits,  whose  eternal  destinies  have  long  since  been 
fixed  by  an  immutable  God. 

The  following  description,  from  the  journal  of  Rev. 
H.  R.  Scott,  will  give  a  clear  idea  of  the  horrors  of  a 
heathen  funeral : 

"Dec.  13th. —  Wia,  the  king  of  the  Cavalla  towns, 
died  to-day.  He  was  a  man  of  great  weight  of  cha- 
racter, a  friend  to  our  Mission,  and  an  advocate  for 
peace.  He  believed  the  Gospel  to  be  true,  but  said  it 
was  too  late  for  him  to  attend  to  it.  Great  preparation 
is  being  made  for  his  funeral,  which  will  take  place 
day  after  to-morrow.  Went  to  his  house  this  after- 
noon, where  I  witnessed  a  scene  which  can  better  be 
imagined  than  described.     As  is  the  custom  on  such 


78  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

occasions,  the  -women  related  to  the  deceased  were 
collected  around  his  body,  in  front  of  his  house,  where 
he  lay  under  a  canopy — to  the  number  of  forty  or 
fifty — rolling  in  the  sand,  and  making  the  air  resound 
with  such  lamentations  as  I  have  read  of,  but  never 
before  heard.  Some  doubtless  felt  what  they  expressed, 
but  with  the  majority  it  was  the  expression,  with  very 
little,  if  any,  feeling  of  grief. 

"Dec.  15th.  —  A  great  number  have  come  to-day 
from  various  directions  to  attend  the  funeral.  Guns 
are  being  continually  fired,  and  a  drum  beat. 

"Dec.  16th. — The  body  of  the  deceased  king  was 
taken  this  morning  to  an  open  plain  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  town,  where  an  arbor  was  erected  over  it,  and  a 
table  placed  near  it,  on  which  was  his  hat,  two  um- 
brellas, a  stool,  a  bottle,  and  a  few  other  articles  from 
his  possession.  Then  the  regular  exercises  commenced, 
by  some  one  or  two  hundred  of  the  men,  in  full  war- 
dress, performing  around  the  body  military  evolutions 
peculiar  to  the  heathen,  and  keeping  up  a  constant  fir- 
ing over  and  upon  the  body,  dancing  and  hallooing, 
and  making  addresses  to  the  deceased — all  seeming  to 
be  striving  to  drive  away  every  thing  like  serious 
reflection.  These  warriors  were  smeared  all  over  with 
a  species  of  black  paint,  and  had  a  great  number  of 
skins  of  wild  animals  hanging  around  their  waists, 
and  a  frightful  head-dress,  made  of  feathers,  skins, 
deer-horns,  etc.  Altogether,  they  presented  such  an 
appearance  as  we  might  imagine  to  belong  to  fiends, 
rather  than  to  human  beings. 

"Besides  these  there  were  collected  perhaps  a  thou- 
sand people,  of  all  ages  and  sexes  —  all,  with  few 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  79 

exceptions,  manifesting  the  greatest  delight  at  the 
exhibition.  About  twelve  o'clock,  the  native  schools 
from  Rocktown,  Mount  Vaughan,  and  Cavalla — being 
all  at  this  place  to  attend  a  school  celebration — marched 
down  in  procession,  with  their  banners,  when  Bishop 
Payne  delivered  an  appropriate  address  to  the  large 
audience  assembled.  After  this,  they  continued  firing 
and  playing  around  the  body,  having  mock  battles,  for 
about  two  hours.  They  then  sent  word  to  the  Bishop 
that  they  were  about  to  inter  the  bod}'-,  and  requested 
that  he  would  come  and  address  them  again.  Being 
engaged  in  the  examination  of  the  schools,  he  sent  the 
messenger  to  me,  and  I  went  down  and  gave  them  a 
short  address.  After  which,  a  brother  of  the  deceased 
made  him  an  address,  in  which  he  alluded  to  the  diffi- 
culties which  had  occurred  between  them,  and  said 
they  were  all  settled  now  ;  then  concluded  by  pouring 
water  on  two  or  three  sticks  of  wood,  which  were 
burning  at  the  end,  and  throwing  them  away.  The 
body  was  then  conveyed  to  the  grave,*  and  hastily 
interred,  with  a  quantity  of  rice,  palm-oil,  beef,f  and 
rum  for  the  use  of  the  spirit  on  his  visits  to  the  grave. 
From  this  dark  scene  I  returned  to  my  home,  feeling 
lliat  there  is  nothing  better  calculated,  than  a  heathen 
funeral,  to  lead  the  Christian  to  realize  and  cherish  the 
blessings  of  the  Gospel." 
This  people  are  very  averse  to  hearing  about  death ; 


*  They  do  not  always  dig  grave'.  Some  of  the  native  Africans 
merely  lay  the  bodies  of  their  dead  on  the  ground,  and  cover  them  with 
canoes.     If  they  do  dig  graves,  they  aro  but  a  few  inches  in  doplh. 

f  While  the  funeral  ceremonies  aro  progressing,  a  bullock  is  killed, 
find  every  man  may  cut  off  a  slico  for  himself. 


80  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

and  much  of  the  horrible  conduct  at  funerals  doubtless 
arises  from  a  feeling  of  utter  recklessness.  Death, 
their  great  enemy,  has  conquered  them,  and  the  sur- 
vivors are  determined  to  brave  it  out.  We  have  been 
told  that  they  sometimes  beat  on  the  drum  the  Grrebo 
words,  signifying,  uWe  don't  care,  we  don't  care  ;"  and 
generally  many  of  the  attendants  are  greatly  intoxi- 
cated ;  while  it  is  the  evident  aim  of  all  to  drive  away 
serious  thought,  and  to  set  death  at  defiance. 

Truly  it  maybe  said  of  this  people,  that  they  "walk 
in  a  vain  shadow,  and  disquiet  themselves  in  vain." 
"  They  die  and  lie  in  the  grave  like  sheep." 

"  May  we,  0  Lord !  with  patient  hand 
Thy  blessed  precepts  spread, 
And  strew  o'er  Af'ric's  torrid  strand 
The  Gospel's  living  bread  ; 

"  Till  from  the  watch-tower  on  her  shore 
Shall  heavenly  radiance  stream. 
And  e'en  her  utmost  deserts  pour 
Fresh  incense  at  its  beam  ; 

"  Until  her  long-benighted  lands 
The  Christian's  anthems  raise, 
And  Nile  and  Niger's  wandering  bauds 
Unite  in  hallowed  praise. 

"  And  may  we  'mid  these  mission -toils 
Still  hear  thy  teaching  voice, 
And  like  Judea's  villagers 
Behold  thee,  and  rejoice."* 

*  Mrs.  Sigourney. 


"  The  people  that  walk  in  darkness  have  seen  a  great  light :  they 
that  dwell  in  the  land  of  the  shadow  of  death,  upon  them  hath  the  light 
shined." — Isa.  9  :  2. 

About  the  close  of  the  year  1853,  the  hearts  of  the 
missionaries  were  cheered  by  the  beginning  of  a  work 
of  grace  in  the  heathen  towns. 

One  of  the  first  individuals,  who  gave  evidence  of 
being  under  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  was  an 
old  man  named  Hyano,  who  had  been  for  many  years 
a  cleyd,  or  demon-doctor,  but  had  been  led,  through 
the  influence  of  the  Bishop,  to  renounce  his  profession 
several  years  prior.  Though,  at  that  time,  intellect- 
ually convinced  of  the  truth  of  the  Gospel,  he  showed 
no  desire  to  embrace  it  until  this  period.  He  possessed 
a  mind  of  more  than  ordinary  sprightliness,  and  his 
convictions  of  sin  were  unusually  vivid,  as  will  be  seen 
by  his  conversations,  described  in  the  journal  of  Mr. 
Scott : 

"  Oct.  9th. — Had  an  interesting  conversation  with 
Hyano  {alias  Freeman)  to-day.  He  has  been  under 
conviction  of  sin  for  two  or  three  years,  and  during  the 
last  two  months,  has  seemed  to  have  a  deeper  sense  of 
his  sins,  and  now  expresses  a  desire  to  be  baptized  into 
Christ's  Church.  He  says  he  spends  a  great  deal  of 
time  in  prayer,  and  is  often  so  troubled  in  his  mind  at 
4;: 


82  DAY  DAWN  IN"  AFEICA. 

night,  that  he  gets  up  and  remains  awake  the  greater 
part  of  the  night.  He  gives  evidence  of  his  sincerit}7, 
by  being  unwilling  to  remain  in  his  town,  from  fear 
that  he  may  be  led  astray  by  his  people,  and  expresses 
a  desire  to  become  acquainted  with  Scripture  truths, 
and  often  exhorts  his  people  to  abandon  their  heathen 
customs,  and  put  their  trust  in  the  Saviour.  Besides, 
he  gives  frequent  instruction  to  two  young  men  in  his 
town,  who  have  been  for  several  months  under  con- 
viction of  sin." 

"  Oct.  11th. — Went  to  Nyaro  this  afternoon,  and  had 
a  very  interesting,  and,  I  hope,  profitable  conversa- 
tion with  Hyano,  who  seems  to  be  growing  in  grace. 
I  have  rarely  seen  in  an  inquirer  the  same  eagerness 
to  know  the  truth.  He  visits  me  almost  daily,  and 
asks  a  great  many  questions,  and  often  requests  me  to 
repeat  something  related  to  him  some  time  previously. 
Upon  my  asking  him,  some  days  after  I  related  to  him 
the  history  of  Abraham,  two  or  three  times,  at  his  re- 
quest, if  he  did  not  know  it,  he  replied :  '  Me  know 
nearly  all  of  it,  but  me  donH  want  to  lose  a  word? 

"  It  is  his  practice  to  relate  every  thing  he  learns  to 
his  people.  A  few  mornings  since,  he  came  to  my 
room  with  another  native,  (who  is  also  apparently  un- 
der conviction,)  and  told  me  that  the  people  in  town 
wouldn't  believe  his  statements,  and  that  he  had 
brought  this  man  to  witness  what  he  heard,  so  that  he 
might  prove  every  thing  related  to  him." 

"  Nov.  8th. — This  morning  I  had  a  very  satisfactory 
conversation  with  Hyano.  For  nearly  a  week  past  his 
wife  has  been  gone,  without  his  seeing  any  thing  of 
her,  and  his  trouble  seems  to  have  been  greatly  blessed 


DAY   DAWN    EN   AFRICA.  83 

to  him.  He  assured  me  that  he  had  not  murmured, 
but  had  felt  persuaded  that  the  trial  came  from  God, 
and  was  sent  for  his  good,  and  that  he  was,  to  use  his 
own  words,  '  happy  all  the  time.'  He  also  gave  me  a 
clear  account  of  his  religious  experience;  he  says: 
•  The  word  of  God  first  lived  in  my  head,  but  now  it 
live  in  my  heart.1  He  also  says  that  he  looks  to  Christ 
for  salvation,  and  if  it  is  God's  will,  he  is  ready  to  die 
to-day.  Upon  my  asking  him  what  he  thought  of  the 
views  of  two  native  men,  who  are  in  the  habit  of 
coming  to  my  room  for  religious  instruction,  he  re- 
plied, that  he  thought  the  word  only  lived  in  the  head 
of  one  of  them,  that  it  had  not  yet  reached  his  heart ; 
and  said :  '  This  man  tell  me  God's  word  come  into  his 
head,  but  he  no  hold  it  there  long.' 

"  He  says  he  encouraged  the  man  to  go  forward  by 
telling  him  that  it  would  after  a  while  get  into  his 
heart,  illustrating  it  by  a  seed,  which  does  not  spring 
up  as  soon  as  it  is  planted,  and  become  a  tree,  but 
comes  by  degrees :  at  first  there  is  a  little  sprout,  and 
after  a  while  it  becomes  a  plant,  and  so  on.  In  regard 
to  the  other  individual,  he  says  he  thinks  the  word  is 
now  beginning  to  live  in  his  heart,  and  that  '  he,  Tiba, 
a  all  other  men  in  town  for  hear  God  palaver, 
lie  come  look  my  house  all  times  for  me  teach  him.'  " 

"  Nov.  23d. — Had  a  visit  from  Hyano  this  afternoon. 
He  continues  to  give  good  evidence  of  having  passed 
from  death  unto  life.  The  great  desire  of  his  heart 
now  seems  to  be  to  bring  his  wife  to  the  same  blessed 
hope  with  himself.  He  is  continually  striving  to 
awaken  her;  and  brought  her  to  us  this  afternoon,  and 


84  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

says  he  wishes  to  bring  her  every  day  that  she  may  be 
taught." 

"  Dec.  6th. — Was  visited  to-day  by  Tiba,  the  friend 
of  Hyano,  who  has  been  for  the  last  two  or  three 
months  under  conviction.  He  has  recently  given  good 
evidence  of  being  under  the  teachings  of  the  Spirit, 
and  would  now  be  willing  to  make  an  open  profes- 
sion of  his  faith  in  Christ,  but  for  one  difficulty — he 
is  not  yet  ready  to  give  up  one  of  his  wives.  He 
says,  if  she  will  leave  him  of  her  own  accord,  he  is 
willing  to  let  her  go,  but  he  can't  bear  the  idea  of 
compelling  her  to  leave  his  house.  This  is  one  of  the 
greatest  obstacles  to  the  progress  of  the  Gospel  among 
this  people.  But  the  Spirit  can  enable  them  to  make 
the  sacrifice,  and  we  have  reason  to  hope  that  such  will 
soon  be  the  experience  of  this  interesting  inquirer." 

"Dec.  7  th. — Hyano  informed  me  to-day  of  the  treat- 
ment he  received,  last  evening,  from  his  people,  which 
looks  very  much  like  persecution  on  account  of  his  re- 
ligion. They  compelled  him  to  pay  quite  a  large  fine 
on  account  of  his  wife's  gathering  palm-nuts  from  a 
part  of  the  forest  which  they  say  is  forbidden  ground ; 
though  he  had  never  heard  before  that  it  was  forbid- 
den, and  another  woman  accompanied  his  wife  to  the 
same  place  for  nuts,  and  he  heard  nothing  of  her  fa- 
mily being  required  to  pay.  He,  in  a  truly  Christian 
spirit,  quietly  paid  the  fine,  without  any  manifestation 
of  indignation ;  and  when  asked  why  he  did  not  de- 
fend himself,  while  the  people  were  discussing  the  mat- 
ter, he  replied,  that  it  was  not  his,  but  God's  palaver. 
After  he  was  fined,  upon  some  one's  asking  where  he 
would  get  money  to  buy  provisions — it  taking  all  he 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  85 

had  to  pay  the  fine — he  said  he  would  pray  to  God, 
and  He  would  give  him  what  he  needed. 

"  Never  have  I  seen  more  simple  and  childlike  faith 
in  the  promises  of  God,  than  is  constantly  manifested 
by  this  old  man." 

Gidawudi,  who  belonged  to  the  same  town  with 
Flyano,  also  became  a  candidate  for  baptism  about  this 
time.  He  had  been  interested  more  or  less  in  religion 
for  two  years,  and  came  regularly  to  the  mission-house 
on  Saturday  evening  for  instruction.  After  the  Bishop 
had  taught  him  to  read,  he  conducted  a  night  school 
in  his  own  town,  without  any  charge  for  his  services. 
The  quiet  energy  and  perseverance,  which  character- 
ized this  interesting  young  man,  encouraged  the  mis- 
sionaries to  hope  that  he  might  become  a  blessing  to 
his  people. 

On  December  11th,  in  the  native  chapel  of  the 
largest  Cavalla  town,  in  the  presence  of  a  very  large 
assembly  of  their  own  people,  the  aged  Hyano  and  the 
youthful  Gidawudi  received  baptism  from  the  hands  of 
the  Bishop.  The  former  was  baptized  Thomas  Free- 
man, a  name  which  had  been  given  him  when,  in 
former  years,  he  served  as  a  krooman  ;  and  the  latter 
received  the  name  of  William  Meade,  in  honor  of  the 
venerable  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Virginia. 

Others  at  this  time  seemed  to  be  much  awakened, 
and  eagerly  sought  instruction  from  the  missionaries. 
An  instance  of  this  character  is  thus  described  by  Mr. 
Scott : 

"  Oct.  loth. — Had  a  visit  this  afternoon  from  a 
young  man  by  the  name  of  Ddba,  who  seems  to  be 
troubled  about  his  sins.     He  has  been  for  some  tune 


86  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFEICA. 

past  learning  to  read,  and  expresses  a  great  desire  to 
be  able  to  read  the  Bible.  He  seems  to  be  conscious 
of  his  inability  to  lead  a  holy  life  without  divine  aid, 
and  professes  to  have  a  great  dread  of  the  evil  influ- 
ence which  is  constantly  exerted  by  his  ungodly  com- 
panions. He  has  now  but  one  wife,  and  upon  my 
remarking  that  I  supposed  he  did  not  intend  to  have 
another,  he  at  first  hesitated  to  reply,  evidently  very 
much  troubled ;  at  last,  he  said :  '  I  would  like  to 
have  two.'  I  then  said  to  him  :  '  Ddba,  if  you  would 
like  indeed  to  be  one  of  God's  people,  you  must  make 
up  your  mind  to  have  but  one  wife.' 

"  He  manifested  much  emotion,  and  after  reflecting 
a  few  moments,  said :  '  Mr.  Scott,  one  thing  makes  my 
heart  burn  too  much.'  I  asked  him  what  it  was,  and 
he  replied :  '  If  God  helps  me,  and  I  become  one  of 
His  people,  I  can't  live  in  town.'  Then  drawing  two 
lines  in  opposite  directions,  he  said :  '  It  is  just  this 
way ;  let  this  line  stand  for  God,'  pointing  to  one  of 
them,  'and  the  other  for  the  devil;  now  God's  law 
leads  me  this  way,  and  the  devil  leads  me  on  that  way. 
When  I  think  I  must  keep  God's  law,  the  devil  tells 
me  not  to  do  it,  and  my  people  lead  me  in  the  same 
way.' 

"I  told  him  I  was  glad  to  hear  him  speak  so,  and 
that  I  approved  of  his  leaving  a  place  where  he  had  so 
many  temptations  to  evil,  and  advised  him,  when  he 
decided  fully  to  come  out  on  the  Lord's  side,  to  move 
up  to  the  Christian  (native)  village,  where  he  could 
always  be  with  God's  people." 

About  this  time,  a  deep  and  interesting  work  of 
grace  began  in  the  native  schools.     Many  of  the  scho- 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFEICA.  87 

lars,  both  male  and  female,  began  to  inquire  "  what 
they  should  do  to  be  saved/'  and  an  unusual  serious- 
ness pervaded  the  inhabitants  of  the  Christian  village. 

On  the  Friday  preceding  Christmas  of  this  year,  a 
practice  was  introduced  among  the  native  Christians 
which  gives  promise  of  much  usefulness.  All  the 
adult  communicants  collected  in  the  house  of  one  of 
the  village  householders,  on  the  Friday  preceding  the 
Communion  Sabbath,  to  hold  a  social  repast,  or  Christ- 
tian  supper,  as  they  term  it.  This  meal  is  given  in 
rotation  by  each  person  in  the  Christian  village,  keep- 
ing a  house.  The  food  prepared  is  that  ordinarily 
used,  only  increased  in  quantity. 

The  communicants  are  all  expected  to  attend:  the 
pastor,  with  one  or  more  ladies  of  the  Mission,  is  always 
present.  When  collected,  after  a  little  conversation,  a 
hymn  is  sung,  a  suitable  portion  of  Scripture  is  selected 
— each  one  reading  a  verse  aloud  in  turn — and  explan- 
ations made  by  -the  pastor  or  some  one  selected  from 
the  company.  The  "  Christian  Visitors"  (whose  duty 
it  is  "to  take  the  general  oversight  of  the  communi- 
cants, to  settle  differences,  and  to  correct  improprie- 
ties") are  then  interrogated  as  to  the  condition  of  the 
communicants ;  and  if  differences  remain  unsettled,  the 
parties  are,  if  possible,  reconciled ;  pra}~er  is  offered  up, 
and  all  afterward  sit  down  to  partake  of  a  frugal  meal. 
On  the  few  occasions  we  attended  these  meetings,  we 
were  much  struck  with  the  decency  and  propriety 
which  pervaded  the  demeanor  of  the  communicants, 
and  the  order  and  neatness  of  the  table  arrangements, 
and  more  especially  with  the  gravity  and  earnestness 
of  their  religious  exercises. 


OO  DAY  DAWN    IN  AFRICA. 

"  The  influence  of  such  a  practice,"  writes  the  Bishop, 
"upon  those  just  emerged  from  heathenism  is  most 
salutary.  The  Christian  village,  however,  like  all 
parts  of  the  Church  militant,  must  not  escape  trials. 
During  the  year,  two  of  its  inhabitants  have  fallen  into 
gross  crimes,  and  in  consequence  have  withdrawn  to 
the  more  congenial  atmosphere  of  heathenism." 

Most  pleasing  is  the  neatness,  order,  and  apparent 
harmony,  which  seem  to  pervade  this  native  Christian 
village  at  Cavalla.  No  one  could  see,  without  interest, 
the  neatly  clad  children  of  the  villagers  taking  their 
morning  walk  to  school — here  and  there  an  older  boy, 
"  with  shining  face,"  carrying  on  his  back  a  recreant 
little  one,  and  the  girls,  large  and  small,  tripping  gayly 
along,  with  folded  hands  and  clean  attire — all  making 
their  way  to  the  same  schools,  in  which  their  parents 
were  first  taught  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  rescued 
from  the  hopeless,  aimless  life  of  the  heathen. 

In  visiting  the  neat  little  houses  of  these  villagers — 
most  of  which  were  built  by  themselves — we  always 
found  their  wives  busily  engaged  in  household  work, 
or  sewing  for  their  children,  while  their  husbands  were 
employed  at  their  various  trades,  or  in  teaching  their 
own  benighted  countrymen.  In  conversing  with  them, 
we  have  been  surprised  to  find  how  very  familiar 
they  are  with  the  Scriptures,  and  how  dearly  they  love 
to  study  them.  The  Bible  to  them  is  indeed  "the 
book  of  books." 

We  shall  never  forget  the  glow  of  pleasure,  which 
lighted  up  the  face  of  a  newly-arrived  missionary, 
(now  in  heaven,)  when,  as  he  walked  for  the  first  time 
through  the  village,  at  eventide,  he  heard  from  the 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  89 

open  windows  the  voice  of  "thanksgiving  and  melo- 
dy," and  saw  the  humble  household  bands  prostrated 
at  the  family  altar.  It  was  indeed  a  sight  upon  which 
angels  might  look  down  with  pleasure;  and  if  the 
missionaries  had  accomplished  nothing  more  than  the 
establishment  of  this  Christian  village,  in  the  midst  of 
heathenism,  it  would  amply  repay  them  for  all  their 
toil  and  sacrifice. 

Similar  villages  are  being  formed  at  all  the  im- 
portant mission  stations,  and  we  have  no  doubt,  they 
are  destined  to  become  as  "cities  set  upon  a  hill,"  to 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of  degraded  and  be- 
nighted heathen. 

Hyano,  after  his  baptism,  expressed  a  desire  to  re- 
move to  the  Christian  village,  where  he  would  not  be 
exposed  to  such  temptations  as  continually  surrounded 
him  in  a  heathen  town,  but  he  was  advised  to  remain 
where  he  was,  on  account  of  the  influence  for  good  he 
might,  with  God's  blessing,  exert  over  his  own  people. 
He  now  set  up  a  family  altar  on  the  very  spot  where 
he  had  formerly  kept  his  idols,  and  practised  his  demon 
arts.  Every  evening  he  was  joined  by  Tiba,  Gidawu- 
di,  and  his  own  wife,  whose  heart  seemed  to  be  inclin- 
ing to  the  truth. 

Soon  an  aged  woman,  to  whom  he  had  often  spoken 
of  the  glorious  Gospel,  joined  the  little  praying  circle. 
The  change  in  this  old  woman,  Yuwa,  was  very  strik- 
ing. She  had  seemed  to  be  one  of  the  most  unpro- 
mising characters  in  the  town  of  Nyaro,  and  the  first 
time  the  missionary,  who  had  charge  of  the  town, 
asked  her  why  she  did  not  regularly  attend  the  chapel, 
she  replied :  "  Me  go  to  church,  and  you  no  pay  me." 


90  DAY  DAWN   IX   AFEICA. 

But  the  Hoi j  Spirit  led  her  to  pereeive  that  the  Gospel 
was  more  than  meat  or  drink,  and  soon  she  truly  hun- 
gered for  the  "  bread  of  life." 

Day  after  day  she  came  to  the  mission-house  to  hear 
about  the  blessed  One,  who  had  died  for  her  salvation. 
She  was  gently  and  almost  imperceptibly  led  forward, 
like  "Lydia,  whose  heart  the  Lord  opened."  Not 
many  months  after,  she  was  ready  to  make  a  public 
profession  by  baptism,  and  at  the  same  time,  Hyano 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  his  wife  come  forward  for 
baptism. 

And  God  blessed  the  little  church  of  five  in  the 
heathen  town  of  Nyaro ;  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 
Comforter,  abode  with  them,  and  their  "  eyes  were 
constantly  unto  the  Lord,"  who  had  delivered,  and 
now  sustained  them. 

As  the  shades  of  evening  approached,  it  was  our 
constant  practice,  for  some  months,  to  visit  the  house 
of  this  aged  disciple,  and  join  with  the  humble  band, 
who  there  met  for  the  worship  of  the  triune  God.  As 
we  saw  when  passing  through  the  village,  at  almost 
every  door  the  worthless  fetish,  and  heard,  from  every 
quarter,  the  reckless,  mocking  laugh,  and  the  foolish 
heathen  jest,  we  thought,  truly  the  contrast  between 
light  and  darkness  is  not  greater-  than  that  between 
Hyano* s  peaceful  abode  and  all  the  other  homes  of  this 
thickly -peopled  town. 

One  evening,  when  we  had  been  prevented  visiting 
him  for  some  time,  we  asked  Hyano  if  Yuwa  attended 
evening  prayers  as  regularly  as  formerly.  "Yes,"  he 
replied,  "  she  come  all  times — s'pose  she  come  home 
from  work  too  late,  she  come  look  my  house,  and  ask 


DAT   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  01 

mc  to  pray  to '  God  one  more  time.  Yuwa  love  GouVs 
word  more  than  her  daily  food." 

Like  the  woman  at  the  well  of  Sychar,  Yuiva,  when 
she  had  found  Jesus,  went  out  and  proclaimed  Him  to 
her  people.  She  soon  succeeded  in  persuading  an  aged 
female  friend  to  come  and  hear  the  blessed  Gospel, 
and,  a  few  months  later,  she  too  was  baptized. 

Tiba,  who  had  renounced  one  of  his  two  wives,  pro- 
fessed his  faith  in  Christ,  and  been  baptized,  continued 
— as  did  Gidawudi — regularly  to  resort  to  Hyano's 
house  for  religious  instruction.  In  addition  to  the  five 
who  daily  assembled  there  to  pray,  others  would  drop 
in  from  curiosity,  and  sometimes  become  interested ; 
thus  Hyand's  house  became  to  his  people  "like  a  city 
set  upon  a  hill,  whose  light  could  not  be  hid." 

Byano  did  not  confine  his  instructions  to  his  own 
house,  but  wherever  he  went,  "  in  season,  and  out  of 
season,"  he  spoke  a  word  for  Christ. 

He  publicly  denounced  and  exposed,  as  he  well 
could,  the  practices  and  the  superstitions  of  his  people. 
ne  showed  them  clearly  in  what  manner  he,  in  com- 
mon with  other  demon-men,  had  imposed  upon  the 
credulity  of  his  people,  and  exhorted  them  to  cease  to 
place  confidence  in  the  deydbo,  and  to  look  to  the  Lord 
God  alone  for  aid  in  time  of  need. 

From  village  to  village,  and  from  tribe  to  tribe,  he 
carried  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  his  unhappy 
people.  Though  unable  to  read,  he  was  well  instruct- 
ed orally,  and  could  repeat  with  fluency  many  of  the 
most  striking  portions  of  the  Scriptures.  With  earnest 
voice  and  animated  gestures,  he  would  tell  of  Noah, 
Abraham,  Isaac,  ana  Jacob  ;   of  God's  wonderful  acts 


92  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

among  the  Israelites,  and  of  the  life,  death,  and  m.raclea 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Tall,  slim,  and  commanding  in  person,  with  brown 
complexion,  and  regular  features,  Hyano  possessed  a 
countenance  of  a  more  elevated  cast  than  is  common 
to  his  people.  As  leaning  on  his  tall  staff,  he  walked 
through  the  villages,  or  sat,  robed  in  a  loose,  flowing 
garment,  at  his  own  door,  at  eventide,  he  frequently 
called  to  our  minds  one  of  the  old  Scripture  patriarchs, 
upon  whose  history  he  so  much  loved  to  dwell. 

He  made  a  faithful  attempt  to  learn  to  read,  but  he 
was  old,  and  his  sight  had  grown  dim,  before  he  was 
brought  under  Christian  teaching.  For  many  months 
he  carried  his  primer  in  his  hat,  and  asked  any  edu- 
cated person  he  chanced  to  meet,  to  give  him  a  lesson. 
On  one  occasion,  when  he  had  succeeded  in  stumbling 
through  a  few  verses  of  the  New  Testament,  he  ex- 
claimed :  "  Me  feel  so  happy  !" 

"Why?"  we  asked. 

"  Why — s'pose  me  can  learn  to  read  God's  book, 
then  me  can  go  in  my  house,  and  read  it  all  times, 
myself." 

On  one  occasion,  as  he  accompanied  one  of  the  native 
deacons,  Ku  Sia,  on  a  missionary  tour  up  the  Cavalla 
river,  he  landed  at  a  place  where  he  had  once  gone  as 
a  demon-doctor,  to  practise  his  arts.  The  people  were 
very  much  surprised  to  see  him,  and,  at  first,  scarcely 
recognized  him,  so  much  were  his  manners,  person, 
and  countenance  changed  by  his  religion — he  was  in- 
deed "a  new  creature"  in  the  sight  of  all  who  had 
known  him.  How  different  his  message  now!  The 
first  time  he  had  visited  them  as  an  agent  of  the  devil ; 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFIUCA.  93 

now  he  went  to  them  as  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  and 
they,  blind  and  ignorant  as  they  were,  could  not  fail 
to  see  the  wonderful  change. 

One  poor  man,  however,  as  Hyano  relates,  was  very 
much  frightened  by  this  visit.  It  so  happened  that 
when  he  had  been  there  before,  as  a  demon-man,  he 
left  behind  him  a  quantity  of  rice,  to  preserve  which, 
he  had  declared  that  whoever  should  eat  thereof  would 
die.  In  the  order  of  providence,  it  happened  that  the 
man  who  stole  and  ate  his  rice,  did  die  very  soon  after- 
ward ;  and  those  who  were  cognizant  of  this  fact, 
greatly  dreaded  Hyands  return.  A  man,  who  had 
probably  been  an  accomplice  in  the  robbery,  not  re- 
cognizing Hyano,  put  his  arm  around  the  supposed 
stranger,  in  a  very  cordial  manner,  to  welcome  him  to 
their  town,  and  kindly  asked  his  name. 

" I  am  Hyano"  he  replied. 

No  sooner  had  he  said  this,  than  the  man,  to  the 
amusement  of  Hyano,  (who  understood  his  feelings,) 
ran  off  as  if  stung  by  a  viper.  Knowing  nothing  of 
the  transforming  influence  of  the  Gospel,  this  supersti- 
tious being  could  not  believe  that  a  demon-man,  so 
powerful  as  he  believed  Hyano  to  be,  had  returned  for 
any  other  purpose  than  to  take  vengeance  upon  his 
enemies.  Unbounded  indeed  was  his  astonishment  to 
hear  this  formidable  deyd,  advocating  the  forgiveness 
of  injuries,  and  telling  of  a  mighty  Saviour,  who  had 
"  laid  down  his  own  life"  for  His  enemies  and  perse- 
cutors. 

In  other  of  the  heathen  towns,  God  was  daily  snatch- 
ing, "  as  brands  from  the  burning,"  those  who  had  for 
many  years  bowed  down  to  idols.     One  of  the  most 


94  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

interesting  conversions,  -which,thougli  it  happened  some 
months  later,  may  be  mentioned  in  this  connection, 
was  that  of  an  infirm  old  woman,  named  Bade.  A 
hopeless  invalid,  she  lived  alone  in  a  very  small  hut 
of  one  of  the  heathen  towns  of  Cavalla.  The  Spirit  of 
God  touched  her  heart,  and  she  forsook  her  sins,  and 
"  sat  at  the  feet  of  Jesus."  Pain,  poverty,  and  loneli- 
ness no  longer  seemed  such  grievous  burdens,  for  in 
her  lowly  home  dwelt  now  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Com- 
forter. Being  unable  to  walk  to  the  church,  she  was 
baptized  by  the  Bishop  in  her  little  hut,  receiving  the 
name  of  the  missionary  who  had  been  mainly  instru- 
mental in  leading  her  to  Christ. 

Some  months  later,  when  told  that  she  who  had 
cared  for  her  soul  was  dead,  poor  Bade  was  greatly 
troubled.  One  standing  by  attempted  to  console  her 
with  the  doctrine  of  the  resurrection,  assuring  her  that 
she  would,  if  faithful  to  God,  see  her  friend  again.  "  Is 
it  true,"  said  she,  "  shall  I  see  her  with  these  same 
eyes  ?"  raising  her  trembling  hands  to  eyes  dimmed  by 
sickness,  age,  and  tears. 

Yes,  poor  Bade.  With  those  same  eyes,  grown  dim 
amid  heathen  scenes,  thou  mayest  indeed  behold,  not 
only  her  who  sought  thee  in  thy  loneliness,  and  led 
thee  to  the  Saviour,  but  the  Lord,  "  the  Prince  of  life," 
Himself. 


€  Ir  a  p  t  u     S  *  in  tt  t  ft . 

"  I  am  made  all  things  to  all  men,  that  I  might  by  all  means  savo 
some."— 1  Con.  9:22. 

The  missionary  life,  while  it  has  stronger  lights  and 
shades  than  any  other,  must,  from  its  very  nature,  be 
ever  attended  with  more  petty  annoyances. 

The  following  graphic  description  of  an  African 
study,  written  for  the  Gavalla  Messenger,  will  give  our 
readers  a  clear  idea  of  the  nature  of  these  annoyances  : 

"  It  is  so  common  for  ministers  to  have  rooms,  which 
they  call  studies,  that  the  missionary  pastor  must,  per 
force  of  custom,  so  call  one  too.  With  how  much 
propriety  will  appear  from  the  following  narrative  of 
a  week's  occurrences." 

u Monday.  —  Missionary  enters  his  study  at  seven 
o'clock.  Study  for  half-hour,  biography ;  he  opens 
the  Life  of  Dr.  Chalmers.  But  scarcely  has  he  opened 
it  ere  K.  appears :  '  I  bring  four  fowls,  sir.'  '  Very 
well ;  take  them  to  M.'  While  he  is  still  speaking,  Gr. 
and  B.  enter.  G.,  '  Will  you  please  take  out  my  tooth, 
sir  ?'  '  Yes  : '  the  tooth  is  extracted  ;  when  B.  shows 
his  hand,  which  he  has  just  cut,  and  which  requires  to 
be  attended  to.  This  case  disposed  of,  M.  comes  push- 
ing in,  with  a  bunch  of  plantains  on  her  head,  for  sale. 
She  is  sent  to  J.  Then  comes  N.,  with  a  tin  cup : 
'  My  brother  is  sick  too  much,  sir ;  he  say,  do  you 


96  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

please  give  him  little  molasses  ?'  It  is  given,  and  the 
prayer-bell  rings ;  and  progress  in  study  has  been — 
perhaps  one  of  Dr.  Chalmers's  five  sentences. 

"Prayers  over,  the  missionary  returns  to  study — ■ 
review  of  Greek  or  Hebrew,  from  quarter  to  half  an 
hour.  Finds  his  study  preoccupied  by  A.,  B.,  and  C, 
with  naked  children.  A.  has  come  to  take  a  walk, 
which  means  to  get  some  tobacco,  if  the  missionary 
will  so  receive  it — for  he  will  not  now  beg  out-right. 
Civility  requires  a  few  words  with  him.  B.  has  come 
to  know  if  I  wish  him  to  bring  me  some  rice,  and 
what  I  will  pay  for  it.  He  is  referred  to  J.,  whose 
duty  it  is  to  attend  to  attend  to  such  things.  C.  has 
come  from  a  distance  to  '  look  the  Kobo  Kai,'  that  is, 
foreigner's  house.  While  discoursing  with  this  man, 
the  breakfast-bell  rings.  Progress  in  study,  six  lines. 
After  breakfast,  about  half  an  hour  is  devoted  to  the 
manifold  calls  for  rice,  meat,  medicine,  or  of  business 
which  has  been  accumulating  during  breakfast. 

"At  a  quarter  to  nine  o'clock  the  missionary  goes  to 
his  study  to  read  McCosh  on  the  Divine  Government, 
for  three  quarters  of  an  hour  ;  but,  half-way  in  a  para- 
graph, a  '  proper  gentleman  '  enters,  with  his  retinue 
of  wives  and  relatives.  He  has  come  from  the  interior 
— has  heard  the  missionary's  great  name,  (fame,)  and 
come  to  see  him.  Ah !  stranger,'  the  missionary,  after 
usual  salutations,  says  to  him,  '  the  fame  of  this  world 
is  vain.  We  have  come  to  teach  you  to  find  enduring 
fame  in  heaven.'  The  stranger  is  followed  by  a  party 
of  people  from  the  town,  who  must  needs  talk  on  no 
low  key  to  themselves  and  their  guest,  by  way  of 
being  agreeable.     The  three  quarters  of  an  hour  have 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  97 

brought  'but  little  progress  in  McCosh.  Grebo  transla- 
tion is  next  taken  up ;  but,  as  the  sun  rises,  visitors 
and  calls  multiply.  '  Will  you  please  give  me  a  little 
sulphur?  (' ko-bo-na,1  foreigner's  fire,)  my  mother  is 
sick,'  says  one ;  '  She  says,  will  you  please  come  see 
her  ?'  says  another.  The  leper  D.  makes  his  appear- 
ance and  presents  his  claim  for  tobacco,  rice,  and  fish. 
S.  '  has  eaten  nothing  for  two  days,'  and  begs,  for 
mercy's  sake,  a  little  food. 

"  In  the  midst  of  these,  half-past  eleven  o'clock  has 
come,  and  J.  appears  to  recite.  A  Utile  progress  has 
been  made  in  Grebo. 

"As  J.  proceeds  in  his  recitation,  visitors  still  come 
and  go,  and  ask  questions  and  talk.  At  twelve,  K. 
comes  to  recite  theology,  and  friends  still  abound  and 
talk.  At  half-past  twelve  a  Grebo  class  from  the  boys' 
school  come  to  recite ;  but,  as  they  proceed,  a  stream 
of  visitors,  young  and  old,  of  differing  tribes  and  dis- 
tant places  appear  and  disappear,  sleep,  or  sit  listlessly, 
or  talk. 

"At  one  o'clock  the  missionary's  body  and  head 
and  heart  rejoice  to  find  rest  and  refreshment  in  the 
quiet  retirement  and  privileges  of  his  chamber. 

"Wednesday. — At  early  dawn,  a  great  commotion 
is  observed  amongst  the  people  in  the  native  village 
near  the  mission-house. 

"A  crowd  of  men  rush  about  amongst  the  houses, 
and  women  are  running  hither  and  thither,  crying  out, 
'Nia  yuo  I  buo  ah  yuo  !  de  ah  yuo  I  0  mi  nd  lamdo.'  (O 
my  child!  my  father's  child!  my  mother's  child! 
They  are  about  to  kill  him.) 

"  By  the  time  the  missionary  gets  in  his  study,  at 
5 


98  D4lY   PAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

seven  o'clock,  a  group  of  women  are  at  the  door. 
'  They  have  caught  H.,  my  brother,  to  give  him  gidu, 
(sassa-wood.)  Please  come  to  beg  him  off.'  '  But  what 
can  I  do?  The  people  say  they  have  caught  him  in 
the  very  act  of  witchcraft ;  and  you  know  by  your  law 
he  ought  to  die,  if  this  be  the  case.' 

"  But  come  and  beg  him  off,  that  he  may  go  away 
and  drink  gidu privately,  and  die.' 

"  Knowing  that  it  is  customary  to  administer  the 
ordeal  about  ten  o'clock,  the  missionary  defers  the  rela- 
tives of  the  accused  man  until  that  time,  and,  the 
morning  hour  for  study  having  been  all  consumed,  he 
obeys  the  call  to  morning  prayers. 

"  Prayers  over  and  breakfast,  the  poor  women  still 
begging  him  to  intercede,  the  missionary  accompanies 
them  to  the  field,  where  the  people  have  taken  H.,  to 
give  him  gidu.  The  red  wood  infusion  has  been  pre- 
pared, about  a  quart  put  in  a  wooden  bowl,  and  H.  is 
urged  to  drink  it.  He  refuses.  The  missionary  inter- 
cedes in  vain.  '  This  man  has  been  seen  by  many,' 
they  say,  in  '  the  very  act  of  witchcraft.'1  l  He  must  drink 
gidu.''  But  H.  will  not  drink  it.  They  order  him  to 
return  to  town.  He  goes,  and  is  put  up  in  the  loft  of 
a  hut.  He  says  something  to  vex  the  people.  They 
again  order  him  to  the  field  to  drink.  He  starts,  and 
on  the  way  runs  off.  It  is  unlawful  to  pursue  him  ; 
and  he  gets  away  at  last  to  drink  it  privately.  In  a 
few  weeks  he  has  drunk  it,  and  returns  home  in 
triumph. 

"  But  the  missionary  has  exerted  himself  in  vain, 
and  the  study  for  that  day  has  had  only  a  name  ;  not  a 
page  has  been  read,  not  a  line  written." 


DAY    DAWN    IN   AFRICA.  99 

"Thursday.  —  At  seven  o'clock,  a  crowd  being 
around  the  house,  of  idlers,  men,  women,  and  children, 
the  door  is  shut  and  locked.  But  one  man  has  brought 
rice,  and  the  missionary  must  add  to  his  other  duties, 
the  purchase  of  this  necessary  article  of  food,  as  it 
comes.  So  W.,  who  has  come  from  the  distance  of 
five  miles,  must  be  admitted,  talked  to,  and  paid. 
And,  the  door  opened,  in  comes  the  naked  boy,  Kra, 
to  ask  for  a  cocoa-nut,  and  the  sick  woman,  Mara,  for 
a  piece  of  meat ;  and  a  teacher  from  the  High  School 
for  a  conversation  ;  and  the  teacher  of  the  boys'  native 
school,  for  padlocks  and  a  chest-lock,  to  put  on  desks 
and  doors ;  and  then  the  bell  rings  for  breakfast,  and 
the  hour  is  past. 

"  Breakfast  over,  a  man  follows  him  to  the  garden, 
to  say  a  krooman  has  just  come  ashore  from  a  vessel, 
very  tired,  has  nothing  to  eat,  and  begs  for  a  cocoa- 
nut  ;  on  emerging  from  the  gate,  an  old  man,  whose 
meagre  form  shows  him  really  in  need  of  food,  pre- 
sents a  few  Lima  beans,  tied  up  in  a  handkerchief,  to 
exchange  for  a  little  fish.  And  then  comes  another 
and  another  slate  from  school-boys,  asking  for  a  box, 
a  chest,  or  any  other  article  they  happen  to  need. 

"Followed  by  boys  and  children,  the  missionary 
goes  about  for  half  an  hour,  giving  directions  about 
making  fences,  nailing  boards  on  the  house,  attending 
to  the  sick,  etc. 

"  Returning  to  the  study,  a  book  is  taken  up,  but 
before  a  paragraph  is  read,  Hne  comes  to  tell  about  the 
wonderful  effect  of  medicine  which  the  missionary  has 
given,  and  to  ask  for  a  little  molasses,  to  make  his  mouOi 
sweet •  and  then  K.  S.,  the  statesman,  who  must  be  en- 


100  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

tertained ;  and  N".  S.,  the  communicant,  who  must 
receive  attention,  etc.  And  thus  the  morning  passes 
away  until  eleven  o'clock,  when  the  new  missionary 
appears  to  take  his  first  lesson  in  Grebo.  And  the 
missionary  only  finds  comfort  in  this  morning's  engage- 
ments in  the  reflection  that  '  it  is  more  blessed  to  give 
than  to  receive.'' 

"Friday. — If  the  company  in  the  African  study  is 
always  engrossing — sometimes  exceedingly  annoying — ■ 
it  is  also  often  very  amusing. 

"  "What  is  the  name  of  that  insect,  H.  ? '  'It  has 
two  names,  Kyenh  ncbld  and  Bunanh  ah  nyine.'  '  But 
Bunanh  is  the  name  of  the  gazelle,  and  nyine  the  name 
of  wife.  Do  you  mean  to  call  this  insect  the  wife  oi 
the  beautiful  gazelle?'  'Yes,  that  is  just  what  we 
say.'  '  Why  so  ?  '  '  Well,  you  know  the  gazelle, 
though  so  small,  is  the  king  of  all  animals — made  so 
on  account  of  his  great  prudence  and  address.  Being 
desirous  to  obtain  a  wife  like-minded — especially  one 
who  was  orderly  and  could  Jceep  a  secret — he  searched 
in  vain  amongst  the  animals.  He  at  last  made  the 
acquaintance  of  Madame  Kyenh  nebld. 

"'He  was  struck  with  her  retired  habits — for  she 
seemed  to  have  no  company — with  her  neatness,  and 
especially  with  the  skill  displayed  in  the  construction 
of  her  places  of  abode.  So  cunningly  indeed  were 
these  planned  and  executed,  that  it  was  with  the  great- 
est difficulty  they  could  be  distinguished  from  sur- 
rounding objects,  thus  eluding  alike  the  visits  of  pro- 
fessed friends  and  open  enemies.  Here,  at  length,  said 
Bunanh,  is  the  woman  for  me — and  henceforth  Kyenh 
nebld  became  Bunanh  ah  nyine.'' 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  101 

"  This  fable,  with  others  like  it,  and  sundry  inter- 
ruptions of  daily  occurrences,  consumed  most  of  the 
hours  which  had  otherwise  been  given  to  study  on 
Friday  morning. 

"Saturday. — Study  is  not  indeed  the  object  of  the 
missionary  on  Saturday.  He  rather  desires  to  make  it 
a  day  of  relaxation,  and  of  attention  to  the  externals 
of  home.  But  indeed,  were  it  desired,  it  could  not 
well  be  otherwise.  For,  whereas,  on  other  days,  there 
are  different  varieties  of  calls  and  engagements,  on 
Saturday  there  appears  to  be  an  accumulation  of  all. 
The  poor,  the  miserable,  and  the  begging — all  would 
seem  to  come  to  express  their  sorrows  and  wants 
together. 

"  Poor  1ST.  was  once  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  deya. 
Sought  out  by  a  dear  sister  now  in  heaven,  he  was  led 
to  the  great  Physician,  and  became  healed  of  his  spir- 
itual disease,  but  not  of  his  bodily.  Also  his  feet  and 
hands,  and  other  parts  of  his  body,  are  being  gradually 
consumed  by  leprosy.  And  often  he  displays  the 
parts  which  the  rats  have  been  gnawing  during  the 
night.  He  wishes  food,  medicine,  and  healing  for  the 
soul. 

"D.  has  some  cutaneous  affection,  which,  if  it  be 
not  a  variety  of  leprosy,  produces  similar  effects.  It 
has  drawn  together  the  fingers,  taken  off  some  toes, 
and  scattered  over  the  body  many  dark,  ugly  plague- 
spots.  But  he  is  a  cheerful,  saucy,  importunate  and 
ungrateful  beggar. 

"  On  P.  leprosy  has  almost  finished  its  work.  Once 
tall,  strong,  handsome,  eloquent.  Now  '  the  sun  and 
moon,  and  the  stars  are  darkened  ;  the  keepers  of  the 


102  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFEICA. 

house  tremble  and  decay  ;  the  strong  men  bow  them- 
selves ;  those  that  look  out  of  the  windows  are  dar- 
kened; the  silver  cord  is  loosening,  and  the  golden 
bowl  is  almost  broken.'  He  stumbles  along,  feeling 
his  way,  leaning  on  his  long  staff,  and  asking  for  all 
he  needs.  The  heart  says  :  '  Give  now,  for  you  shall 
soon  have  given  him  for  the  last  time.' 

"  Old  Y.  has  passed  three-score  years  and  ten,  but, 
alas !  old  age  has  not  brought  wisdom  or  goodness. 
She  has  often  heard  the  truth,  but  to  all  appearance  it 
has  produced  no  visible  effect.  Weak  and  blind,  and 
tottering  over  the  grave,  she  only  seeks  the  missionary 
to  relieve  her  bodily  wants,  and  quarrels  if  her  expec- 
tations are  not  realized." 

"A.,  B.,  C,  and  G.,  H.,  and  so  on,  are  instant  and 
clamorous  for  hnede,  blade,  ovpode,  (fish,  rice,  or  tobacco,) 
because,  forsooth,  it  is  the  Sabbath  to-morrow,  and 
they  mean  to  rest  on  that  day.  And  then  follow  in 
constant  stream,  the  gentleman  and  poor  man ;  .men, 
women,  and  children,  for  medicine,  conversation,  this 
thing,  or  that  thing,  or  nothing,  until  the  missionary, 
to  the  full,  has  the  comfort  of  having  seen  all  sorts  of 
people,  and  dealt  with  all  manner  of  cases.  And  it  is 
good  comfort,  for  he  is  the  bearer  of  '  good  tidings  to  all 
people?  " 

While  the  pastor  is  enduring  his  share  of  annoy- 
ances in  the  study,  his  wife  is  having  trials  of  a  similar 
nature  in  the  parlor,  mitigated  somewhat  by  the  fact, 
that  the  industrious  Grebo  ladies,  as  a  general  thing, 
have  not  leisure  to  make  visits  of  as  frequent  and  pro- 
tracted a  nature,  as  is  the  custom  of  their  lazy  lords. 

For  their  own  convenience,  the  ladies  of  the  Mission 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  103 

have  set  apart  the  afternoon  of  every  day  for  their 
reception,  with  the  exception  of  Sunday,  when  they 
are  engaged  in  Sabbath-school ;  and  Saturday,  when 
they  invariably  visit  the  native  towns.  At  the  oldest 
mission-houses  the  natives  have  happily  fallen  in  with 
this  custom,  and  but  seldom  intrude  in  the  morning. 
Soon  after  dinner,  men,  women,  and  children  may  be 
seen  wending  their  way  to  the  parlors  of  the  different 
mission-houses,  which  are  thrown  open  for  them  until 
sundown,  or,  as  the  Greboes  have  it,  until  "  night 
rights  the  day." 

The  most  wearisome  feature  in  these  levees  to  a  new 
missionary — more  so  even  than  their  unending  de- 
mands upon  one's  time  and  attention — is  the  receiving 
their  "  dashes,"  that  is,  presents,  which  are  to  be  re- 
paid with  interest  at  some  future  visitation.  Could 
twice  the  value  of  the  fowls,  plantains,  rice,  and  palm- 
butter,  or  whatever  gift  they  may  be  pleased  to  bestow, 
be  given  to  them  at  once,  it  would  be  a  relief  to  the 
mind  (or  memory)  of  the  burdened  housekeeper ;  but, 
no,  that  would  be  a  breach  of  Qrebo  etiquette,  and  make 
them,  as  they  say,  "  ashamed  too  much."  The  recipi- 
ent must  tax  her  memory  to  remember  all  the  new 
faces,  and  the  proper  value  of  the  various  trifles  be- 
stowed, and  return  them  at  regular  intervals  to  the 
shrewd  donors,  who  have  discovered  that  it  is  much 
more  profitable  to  give  than  to  sell  to  their  white 
friends. 

Annoying  as  this  and  other  practices  undoubtedly 
are,  the  missionaries,  knowing  how  very  important  it 
is  to  enlist  the  affections  and  sympathies  of  the  heathen, 
would  not,  if  they  could,  abolish  them  hastily.     They, 


104  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

who  properly  weigh  the  worth  of  immortal  spirits,  can 
not  consider  time,  health,  or  even  life  itself  wasted,  if, 
by  all  means,  "  they  can  win  souls  to  Christ" 

The  following  description  of  an  African  parlor  at 
night,  (by  Rev.  Mr.  Holcomb,)  shows  that  the  annoy- 
ances end  not  with  daylight : 

"  The  sun  has  gone  down  behind  '  Devil  Rock,'  the 
bell  has  tolled  the  hour  of  prayer,  the  lame,  blind,  halt, 
and  the  lepers,  that  thronged  us  during  the  day  have 
departed,  and  the  new  missionary  begins  to  realize  the 
pleasure  of  the  disciples  when  they  they  heard  the 
Master  say:  'Come  ye  yourselves  apart  and  rest 
awhile ;  for  there  were  many  coming  and  going,  and 
they  had  no  leisure  so  much  as  to  eat.'  A  quiet  hour 
with  the  missionaries  in  the  parlor  is  anticipated. 

"  They  are  seated  around  the  centre- table,  and  one 
takes  a  book  just  arrived  from  the  land  of  books,  and 
is  about  to  read  aloud,  when  one  of  the  school  girls 
appears  with  a  basket  of  boys'  clothes,  and  deposits 
them  before  Mrs.  .  Then  follow  sundry  ques- 
tions and  answers,  and  the  counting,  examining,  and 

mending  of  the  aforesaid  clothes  by  Mrs. .     The 

reading  begins,  but  is  soon  ended  by  the  appearance  of 
another  girl  with  a  basketful  of  girls'  clothes,  which 

are  placed  at  the  feet  of  Miss  .      Then  follow 

again  sundry  questions  and  answers,  and  the  counting, 
examining,  and  mending  of  the  aforesaid  clothes  by 
Miss . 

"  The  reading  is  again  resumed,  and  again  interrupt- 
ed every  few  moments  by  the  appearance  of  scholar 
after  scholar,  and  slate  after  slate,  with  messages  on 
them  which  must  be  answered.     A  scholar  desires  to 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  105 

go  to  Cape  Palmas.  One  wants  a  sheet  of  paper,  etc., 
etc.  One  brings  the  mail  from  Cape  Palmas.  Some 
one  comes  for  the  keys  of  the  duck-house.  Another 
for  flour.  Kede  is  called  and  sent  to  town  to  get  some 
men  to  go  to  the  Cape  in  the  morning.  The  bell  tolls 
the  hour  of  nine,  and  then  the  lantern  is  lighted  and 
sent  to  the  school-house.  Some  one  is  sick  in  the 
Christian  village,  and  a  blue  pill  or  some  other  pre- 
scription is  asked  for,  and  the  medicine-chest  and  medi- 
cal books  must  be  resorted  to.     Now  a  heavy  piece  of 

cloth  is  brought  in  by  Miss ,  which  must  be  made 

up  for  mission  use,  and  during  the  cutting  and  tearing 
of  the  same,  many  a  beautiful  sentiment  is  lost,  and  the 
effect  of  many  a  well-finished  sentence  is  destroyed,  for 
cutting  of  said  cloth  is  like  the  sound  of  the  saw  under- 
going the  operation  of  the  file.  The  look  of  annoyance 
of  the  reader  is  answered  by  another,  which,  inter- 
preted, means,  I  am  sorry,  but  this  work  must  be  done. 
"  Now  a  terrible  coughing  is  heard,  and  some  one 
appears  and  announces  a  sad  case.  Every  thing  is 
suspended  to  attend  to  this.  Various  medical  books 
are  taken  down,  all  under  the  heads  of  coughing  and 
strangling  are  read,  and  a  prescription  made  out.  Ten 
o'clock  brings  up  the  Bishop  from  his  Grebo  study, 
and  Miss  W.  goes  to  visit  the  girls'  rooms,  and  to  bring 
away  the  lamp.     '  The  good  night '  is  played  by  Mrs. 

,  and  then  follows  the  barricading  of  the  African 

parlor  against  rats.  One  door,  for  want  of  other 
means,  is  barricaded  with  a  chair,  and  another  by 
boards  to  stop  the  rat-holes  in  it.  The  covering  is 
taken  from  the  lounge,  and  the  new  missionary  is 
warned  not  to  leave  his  cap  where  the  rats  can  get  hold 


106  1>AY  DAWN  IN  AFEICA. 

of  it  for  their  supper.  But  orders  are  given  not  to  bar 
ricade  the  parlor  too  strongly,  for  one  of  the  ladies 
informs  us  that  during  the  night  she  must  visit  the  sick 
one.  The  new  missionary  goes  to  his  room  convinced 
that  it  is  impossible  for  a  missionary  to  rust  out  in 
Africa." 

It  is  very  amusing  to  see  the  natives  visit  the  new 
house  of  a  foreigner,  or,  as  they  say,  "look  a  hobo 
hai." 

When  the  Asylum  was  first  opened  at  Cape  Palmas, 
a  number  of  "  proper  gentlemen  "  from  the  interior 
came  to  examine  it.  Heralded  by  a  Cape  Palmas  man 
of  their  acquaintance,  they  entered  with  courtly  bows, 
and  the  usual  salutation,  uNah  wioV  (How  are  you?) 
After  their  friend  had  named  them  to  us  one  by  one, 
he  said,  with  a  flourish :  "  These  be  my  friends ;  they  be 
proper  gentlemen  from  Nyambo  country ;  they  hear  news 
— countrymen  tell  them  your  house  be  fine  pass  all 
houses  live  this  country — they  come  boh  you  this 
time." 

After  they  had  "  looked  "  to  their  satisfaction,  they 
bestowed  a  small  "  dash,"  (as  a  pledge  of  their  return 
at  some  future  time,)  and  quietly  departed,  their  friend 
remarking,  in  a  complimentary  tone,  as  he  withdrew: 
"  My  friend  say  you  be  fine  plenty."* 

They  frequently  bring  with  them  a  present,  generally 
a  trifling  one ;  but  on  one  occasion,  a  visitor  of  this 
description,  by  way  of  establishing  a  friendship,  brought 


*  "Fine1'  is  the  most  flattering  English  word  with  which  they  are 
acquainted,  and  is  freely  applied  by  them  to  foreigners,  with  the  hope 
of  eliciting  a  "dash,"  (that  is,  a  present.) 


_DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  107 

a  bullock.  When  it  was  proposed  to  settle  with  him 
at  once,  he  declined,  saying:  "  That  no  be  country  fash 
— spose  you  will,  me  take  little  dash  to-day."  Occa- 
sionally, for  some  months,  we  would  hear  that  our 
"  friend  from  bush  country"  wanted  to  "  look  "  us  ;  and 
at  every  visit,  without  asking  directly  for  pay,  he  made 
it  evident  that  he  had  come  for  no  other  purpose. 
After  he  had  received  far  more  than  he  could  have 
sold  his  bullock  for,  he  was  told  that  ?*  was  time  to 
have  the  account  settled,  when,  to  the  amusement  of 
the  missionary,  he  said,  "  He  no  be  my  bullock,  he  be 
my  father's,"  intimating  that  what  he  had  received  was 
merely  a  present  by  the  way,  and  that  it  would  now 
be  agreeable  to  him  to  receive  some  compensation  for 
the  bullock. 

The  following  extract  from  the  journal  of  Eev.  Mr. 
Wright,  will  further  illustrate  this  peculiarity  : 

"  On  the  4th  of  July,  Mrs.  W.  and  myself  left  Mr. 
Home's  at  Eocktown,  where  we  had  been  boarding,  to 
take  up  our  residence  at  Fishtown.  We  started  rather 
unfavorably,  Mrs.  W.  suffering  with  a  severe  attack  of 
bilious  remittent,  and  with  which  she  was  laid  up  a 
week  after  our  arrival.  An  incident  which  happened 
to  us  on  our  way,  may  serve  to  illustrate  native  cus- 
toms. Passing  through  Middletown — a  small  settle- 
ment consisting  of  two  native  towns  lying  half-way 
between  Rocktown  and  Fishtown,  and  to  pass  through 
which,  Mrs.  W.  had  to  alight  from  her  hammock — we 
were  accosted  by  the  governor  of  the  towns,  and  we 
stepped  aside  to  shake  hands  with  him.  Anxious  to 
reach  Fishtown,  or  Fairhaven,  on  account  of  Mrs. 
Wright's  indisposition,  we  would  have  proceeded,  but 


108  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

Mrs.  W.  was  requested  to  seat  herself  in  a  chair 
placed  outside  his  hut,  and,  our  hammock-men  refusing 
to  proceed,  we  thought  it  best  to  comply  with  his 
request. 

"  The  Governor  now  said  something  to  his  boys, 
and  then  retired  out  of  sight.  Immediately  a  dozen 
or  more  boys  were  in  chase  of  an  unfortunate  rooster ; 
every  boy  or  girl  who  came  up  was  pressed  into  ser 
vice,  so  that  soon  nearly  all  the  children  of  the  town 
were  engaged  in  the  chase.  Finally,  the  rooster  was 
captured,  and  taken  to  the  Governor,  who  now  came 
forward  and,  with  a  low  bow,  presented  it  to  Mrs.  W. 
We  were  now  allowed  to  proceed.  You  may  be  sure, 
if  you  are  acquainted  with  the  African  character,  that 
His  Excellency  did  not  fail  to  pay  me  a  visit  soon  after, 
when  I  had  to  make  him  a  return  present  of  four  or  five 
times  the  value  of  his  fowl.  Nor  was  this  sufficient, 
but  he  must  come  four  or  five  times,  giving  me  to  un- 
derstand he  wanted  something." 

Pleasant  and  conciliating,  however,  as  the  Africans 
may  generally  seem  to  be,  there  is,  alas  !  a  very  dark 
side  to  their  character.  Very  many  of  them  would  not 
hesitate  to  poison  (secretly)  those  who  offend  them,  or 
to  commit  murder  for  very  small  gain.  In  the  year 
1853,  not  far  from  our  Mission,  a  most  shocking  mas- 
sacre of  the  captain  and  crew  of  an  English  vessel,  was 
committed,  partly  from  the  feeling  of  revenge,  and 
partly  from  the  hope  of  gain.   ■ 

The  following  account  of  the  massacre,  and  of  the 
sole  survivor — who  is  now  a  member  of  our  Mission — 
will  not  be  uninteresting  to  the  reader. 

The  Heroine  arrived  on  the  African  coast  about  the 


DAY  DAWX  IN  AFRICA.  109 

middle  of  March,  (1852.)  It  was  Captain  Cormack's 
first  voyage.  Being  ignorant  of  the  character  of  the 
natives,  he  placed  in  their  hands  a  large  amount  to 
purchase  palm-oil,  thinking  that,  in  a  few  months,  they 
would  supply  him  with  all  that  was  needed,  according 
to  their  engagement.  But  from  month  to  month  they 
put  him  off,  until  at  last,  being  convinced  that  they  did 
not  intend  to  pay  him,  in  accordance  with  a  custom 
among  themselves,  he  seized  one  or  two  of  their  prin- 
cipal men  to  hold  as  hostages  until  their  debt  should 
be  paid.  The  natives  of  Taboo,  the  town  to  which 
these  people  belonged,  resolved  to  rescue  them  at  all 
hazards.  By  practising  a  deception,  they  succeeded  in 
getting  a  large  number  on  the  deck  of  the  vessel  at  the 
same  time,  as  they  now  say,  simply  with  the  intention 
at  first  of  rescuing  their  friends,  but  in  a  few  moments 
they  not  only  loosed  the  prisoners,  but  massacred  the 
captain,  super-cargo,  and  every  one  of  the  crew,  with 
the  exception  of  Thomas  Toomey,  who  happened  to  be 
below  deck  on  account  of  indisposition. 

When  all  his  companions  were  murdered,  his  first 
thought  was  to  sell  his  life  as  dearly  as  possible,  and 
he  raised  a  blunderbuss,  that  was  near  to  him,  to  shoot 
the  leader  of  the  party  through  the  sky-light ;  but  it 
missed  fire.  He  then  seized  a  musket  and  pointed  it 
at  another  man,  who  passed  near,  but  it  also  failed  to 
fire.  He  now  resolved  to  be  still,  and  commenced 
earnestly  praying  to  God  to  spare  his  life,  and  solemnly 
vowed,  if  it  were  spared,  to  devote  it  to  His  service. 
His  prayer  was  heard,  and  when  there  seemed  scarcely 
a  ray  of  hope,  a  way  of  escape  was  provided.  All 
night  he  remained  in  a  state  of  restless  anxiety,  think- 


110  DAY   DAWN"   IN   AFRICA. 

ing  that  eacli  hour  might  be  his  last ;  but  he  was  per 
fectly  safe ;  for  He  who  ruleth  iu  heaven  and  earth 
had  resolved  to  rescue  him.  So  eager  were  the  mur- 
derers to  get  possession  of  the  contents  of  the  vessel — 
especially  of  the  rum — and  so  much  were  they  elated 
by  their  success,  and  excited  by  what  they  drank,  the 
youth  seemed  to  have  been  forgotten. 

Early  the  following  morning  a  colonist  from  Cape 
Palmas,  who  happened  to  be  on  a  visit  to  the  neigh- 
borhood, hearing  that  he  was  still  alive,  came  and 
begged  his  life.  After  a  time  they  granted  his  request, 
and  some  time  during  the  day  he  was  brought  up  from 
the  hold  of  the  vessel,  and  carried  on  shore.  Here  he 
remained  all  night,  not  without  great  apprehension 
that  they  would  change  their  minds,  and  take  his  life, 
as  he  was  the  principal  witness  against  them.  Indeed, 
we  were  told  by  a  native  man,  that  while  he  was  in 
the  town,  they  discussed  the  expediency  of  killing 
him,  and  were  prevented  by  the  expostulations  of  a 
woman,  who  contended  that  it  would  be  a  violation  of 
the  rules  of  hospitality,  to  kill  him  after  he  had  drunk 
water  in  their  houses. 

The  next  day  he  arrived  at  our  mission-station  at 
Cavalla,  in  a  most  pitiable  condition.  The  best  friend 
he  had  in  the  world  was  murdered — he  was  thousands 
of  miles  from  his  home  in  a  heathen  land,  almost  with- 
out clothes  enough  to  cover  his  body,  and  suffering 
•with  the  fever,  which  so  often,  in  this  climate,  proves 
fatal  to  the  white  man. 

But  though,  to  short-seeing  mortals,  he  seemed  en- 
veloped in  a  cloud  of  deep  darkness,  this  was  the 
brightest  day  in  the  life  of  the  sailor  boy.     For  this 


DAY  DAWN   IX  AFRICA.  Ill 

day  be  came  within  the  sound  of  the  Gospel.  Before 
leaving  his  own  country,  Ireland,  about  eighteen 
months  before  this,  he  had  never  looked  into  the  word 
of  God,  his  parents  having  been  members  of  the  Bo- 
man  Catholic  Church.  Being  taken  ill  in  London, 
whilst  on  his  way  to  the  coast  of  Africa,  he  was  placed 
in  a  naval  asylum,  and  there  he  received  a  Bible  from 
a  young  lady  who  came  to  visit  the  sick.  The  captain 
of  the  ship  taught  him  to  read  it,  and  for  months  this 
blessed  volume  had  been  to  him  a  much-cherished 
companion.  But,  like  the  Ethiopian  eunuch,  he 
needed  to  have  the  Scriptures  expounded  to  him,  and, 
like  the  same  individual,  when  Christ  was  preached  to 
him,  he  joyfully  embraced  Him  as  his  Saviour. 
Clearly  did  he  see  His  guiding  hand  in  all  the  events 
of  his  life,  especially  in  bringing  him  from  the  ignor- 
ance and  superstitions  of  his  native  land ;  and  in  com- 
pelling him,  on  the  day  of  the  massacre,  almost  for  the 
first  time  during  the  voyage,  to  leave  his  regular  duties 
on  the  vessel,  thus  enabling  him  to  escape  the  fate  of 
his  companions. 

From  meditation  upon  these  evidences  of  God's 
favor,  his  mind  was  well  prepared  for  the  messages  of 
mercy  now  proclaimed  to  him.  With  scarcely  any 
delay,  he  laid  hold  of  the  Saviour,  and  from  that  hour 
to  the  present,  has  been  a  rejoicing  Christian.  The 
great  desire  of  his  heart  now  is  to  be  enabled  to  do 
something  for  the  glory  of  that  Being,  who  so  merci- 
fully delivered  him  from  death,  temporal  and  spiritual. 

For  some  months,  Toomcy  was  connected  with  the 
Mission  school  at  Cavalla,  and  during  the  past  year 
has  rendered  most  efficient  aid,  as  secular  agent  at  that 


112  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

station.  Kecently  he  has  become  a  candidate  for  or- 
ders, and  will  probably  soon  be  set  apart  for  the  blessed 
work  of  an  evangelist  to  the  heathen. 

Truly,  God  "  leads  us  byways  we  know  not."  How 
little  thought  that  humble  youth — himself  a  stranger 
to  Christ — as  he  lay  near  his  murdered  friends  in  the 
hold  of  the  Heroine,  that  he  was  destined  at  no  very 
distant  day,  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen,  who 
had  taken  the  lives  of  his  captain  and  companions ! 


"  How  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher  ?  And  how  shall  they 
preach,  except  they  be  sent?" — Rom.  10  :  14. 

The  year  1854  opened  auspiciously  upon  the  Mis- 
sion ;  for,  at  its  beginning,  we  find  three  new  laborers, 
raised  up  on  the  ground,  ready  to  engage  in  the  fields 
now  "  white  for  the  harvest." 

On  Easter  Sunday  of  this  year,  Ku  Sia  and  Musu 
were  admitted  to  the  Order  of  Deacons  by  Bishop 
Payne.  This  event  made  that  bright  Sabbath  an  un- 
usually joyful  festival  to  the  little  band  of  mission- 
aries at  Cavalla,  who  were  there  assembled  to  witness 
the  first  ordination  of  natives  in  the  Mission. 

On  the  preceding  15th  of  January,  G.  W.  Gibson 
(colonist)  was  ordained  deacon,  and  shortly  after  made 
the  principal  of  the  High  School  at  Mt.  Vaughan ; 
and  in  the  following  June,  when  Mr.  Pinckney  went 
to  the  new  station  at  Sinoe,  he  was  appointed  to  assist 
the  Eev.  Mr.  Scott  at  St.  Mark's.  We  find,  by  the 
following  extract  from  Mr.  Scott's  journal,  that  he 
had  been  ordained  priest  near  the  close  of  the  preced- 
ing year : 

"August  Slst,  1853. — To-day  I  was  ordained  priest 
at  St.  Mark's  Church,  Cape  Palmas,  by  Bishop  Payne. 
lie  preached  from  Numbers  16  :  48 — '  He  stood  be- 
tween the  living  and  the  dead.'  " 

Musu  was  appointed  to  preach  in  the  Baho  and  Plabo 
towns,  about  twenty  in  number,  and  Ku  /Sia,  accom- 


114  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

panied  by  Hyano,  (alias  Freeman,)  the  converted  de 
mon-man,  to  visit  and  preach  among  the  twelve  tribes 
scattered  along  the  Cavalla  river,  from  the  Bishop's 
residence  to  the  distance  of  sixty  miles  in  the  interior. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  1854,  the  Mission  had  been 
cheered  by  the  arrival  of  eight  more  missionaries — ■ 
namely :  Eev.  J.  Rambo  (who  had  been  visiting  the 
United  States  for  his  health)  and  Mrs.  Rambo,  from 
New-York  ;  Rev.  William  and  Mrs.  "Wright,  from  the 
same  State ;  Dr.  T.  R.  Steele  and  Miss  Anna  M.  Steele, 
from  Washington,  D.  0. ;  and  Miss  Sophia  M.  Smith 
and  Miss  Mary  Ball,  from  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wright,  with  Miss  Smith,  went  to 
Rocktown,  to  assist  Mr.  Home,  and  the  rest  of  the 
party  to  Cavalla,  to  remain  there  until  the  buildings 
at  Bassa  Cove  and  Cape  Palmas  should  be  ready  for 
them.  The  same  vessel  that  brought  them  to  Cape 
Palmas,  carried  Rev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoffman  to  the 
United  States,  the  health  of  the  latter  requiring  a 
change ;  and  Miss  Colquhoun,  who  had  found  her 
constitution  not  at  all  adapted  to  the  climate,  also 
availed  herself  of  this  opportunity  to  withdraw  from 
the  Mission. 

All  who  had  recently  arrived,  passed  safely  through 
the  acclimating  fever,  with  the  exception  of  Miss  Smith, 
whose  constitution  was  peculiarly  unfitted  for  the  cli- 
mate. She  had  a  severe  bilious  attack  on  the  voyage, 
and  died  of  acclimating  fever  on  the  23d  of  February, 
six  weeks  after  her  arrival  at  Rocktown. 

Bishop  Payne,  in  announcing  the  death  of  this  in- 
teresting young  lady  to  the  Foreign  Committee,  thus 
writes : 


DAY   DAWN    IX   AFRICA.  1  '.  ■', 

"  She  always  declared  that  she  was  most  happy  to 
have  come,  even  though  she  should  be  spared  for  a 
very  short  time  ;  so  humbly  did  she  think  of  herself, 
and  so  much  honor  did  she  account  it  to  be  permitted 
to  exert  even  the  feeblest  influence  in  causing  '  Ethio- 
pia to  stretch  out  her  hands  unto  God.'  '  Verily  I  say 
unto  you,  he  that  humbleth  himself  as  a  little  child, 
the  same  shall  be  called  great  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.'  Can  we  wonder,  then,  that  one  who,  by 
grace,  had  been  prepared  for  the  highest  honors  in  the 
heavenly  kingdom,  should  be  at  once  admitted  to 
those  honors  ?" 

Clement  F.  Jones  (Ku  Sia)  and  Hyano  made  two 
tours  sixty  miles  into  the  interior,  and  preached  many 
times  along  the  banks  of  the  Cavalla  river.  In  some 
places,  Hyano  had  to  endure  many  taunts  and  bitter 
expressions  from  demon-men,  for  having  abandoned 
and  exposed  his  former  profession.  Many  of  them 
would  gladly  have  poisoned  him,  could  they  have 
done  so  secretly ;  but  Hyano,  though  he  knew  his 
danger,  did  not  hesitate  to  speak  out  boldly,  and  to 
warn  his  benighted  countrymen  not  to  trust  the  lies 
of  the  deyabo,  but  to  turn,  and  seek  the  true  God. 

Ku  Sia  afterward  made  some  interesting  missionary 
excursions  with  Mr.  Rambo,  and  from  the  journal  of 
the  latter  we  quote  the  following  description  of  scenery 
on  the  Cavalla : 

" April  19$.. — Left  Cavalla  station  at  seven  o'clock, 
in  company  with  Eev.  C.  F.  Jones,  (native  deacon.) 
We  went  across  the  country  two  and  a  half  miles,  to 
Di-ima-Lu,  a  town  on  the  Cavalla  river.  We  there 
hired  a  canoe,  having  men  already  with  us,  and  em- 
barked about  nine  A.M. 


116  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFEICA. 

"  This  is  the  second  visit  I  have  made  up  this  beau- 
tiful and  picturesque  stream.  After  my  former  visit, 
more  than  two  years  since,  I  described  briefly  some 
portions  of  this  river.  Its  scenery  is  not  grand,  but 
certainly  interesting  and  attractive ;  but  there  are  none 
between  here  and  Sierra  Leone  that  I  have  seen  or 
heard  of,  that  at  all  compare  in  beauty  or  grandeur  to 
dozens  of  rivers  in  the  United  States.  Yet  there  is 
much  in  the  scenery  on  some  of  the  rivers  here  to  in- 
terest the  traveller,  and  almost  make  him  believe,  for 
the  time,  that  it  rivals  any  thing  that  he  has  ever  seen. 
The  country  is  always  green ;  and  where  there  are 
high  hills,  prominent  rocks,  occasionally  deep  ravines, 
extensive  forests,  overhanging  palms,  and  clustering 
vines,  as  is  the  case  fifty  miles  up  the  Cavalla  river, 
one  may  well  lose  himself  for  a  short  time,  and  ima- 
gine that  he  is  permitted  this  once  to  behold  almost  a 
paradise.  He  is,  however,  soon  persuaded  of  his  error, 
when  he  comes  in  contact  with  the  natives.  If  he  is 
a  new-comer,  and  has  little  or  no  experience  in  deal- 
ing with  them,  his  pleasant  reveries  will  often  be  dis- 
turbed, and  he  will  soon  be  perplexed,  tried,  and 
harassed  to  the  height  of  human  endurance. 

"  The  missionary  traveller,  however,  becomes,  or 
should  become,  inured  to  all  annoyances,  and  gladly 
bears  them  all,  that  he  may,  in  obedience  to  the  Sav- 
iour's command,  '  Go  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature,'  within  his  reach.  We  came  to  win  these 
poor,  ignorant,  unprincipled  creatures  to  Christ,  who 
died  for  them." 

"After  leaving  our  place  of  embarkation,  we  as- 
cended the  river  three  or  four  miles  before  we  saw 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  117 

another  town  The  width  of  the  river  at  this  point 
was  about  half  a  mile,  and  it  widens  somewhat  in 
places  farther  up  the  stream.  At  the  distance  of  fifty 
miles  up,  it  narrows  but  little,  and  is-  deep  enough  in 
the  '  rainy  season '  to  be  navigated  that  distance  by 
small  steamers.  "We  passed  two  towns,  and  continued 
four  miles  farther  up  the  stream,  which  along  that  part 
of  it  is  extremely  meandering  and  beautiful.  The 
banks  rise  in  some  places  from  twenty  to  fifty  feet, 
and  now  and  then  extensive  forests  of  large  trees  are 
seen.  Then,  again,  rice-farms  of  the  natives  are  no- 
ticed, containing  in  the  aggregate  from  one  hundred  to 
two  hundred  acres  of  rich  alluvial  soil,  or  loam  and 
clay  mixed.  "We  reached  Uidie,  the  place  of  our  des- 
tination, about  eleven  A.M.  This  is  eleven  miles 
from  Cavalla  station.  There  are  three  villages  in  this 
settlement,  one  being  very  small.  It  is  near  the  small- 
est one  that  the  natives  say  the  '  Grand  Devil '  has  his 
seat.  We  found  the  village  nearly  deserted,  the  peo- 
ple being  busy  on  their  rice-farms.  At  last,  however, 
we  gathered  from  all  the  towns  about  twenty-five  per- 
sons, who  came  and  sat  down  under  the  shade  of  some 
large  trees,  and  listened  to  the  blessed  truths  of  the 
Gospel.  We  sang  a  Grebo  hymn,  repeated  the  com- 
mandments, prayed,  and  '  preached  unto  them  Jesus 
and  the  resurrection.' 

"  We  were  hospitably  entertained  by  the  head  man, 
who  killed  a  fowl,  made  some  soup,  and  boiled  some 
rice.  AVe  ate  out  of  a  wash-basin,  (used  for  eating 
only,  by  the  natives,)  and  being  hungry,  our  dinner 
tasted  very  palatable. 

"At  two  o'clock  we  left  this  place,  and  returned  and 


118  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

preached  in  the  towns  of  the  same  tribe  before  men 
tioned.  Our  congregations  were  attentive  and  qniet. 
They  have  heard  the  Gospel  as  seldom  as  the  others, 
though  not  so  far  distant.  What  multitudes  and  mul 
titudes  of  poor  heathen  throng  both  banks  of  this 
river,  for  a  hundred  miles !  How  few  of  them  ever 
heard  and  understood  the  import  of  the  blessed  name 
of  Jesus !  Now,  however,  God  has  raised  up  and 
commissioned  a  native  evangelist,  (with  me  to-day,) 
whose  principal  work  will  be  to  go  '  far  hence  to  these 
Gentiles.'  " 

In  July  of  this  year,  Mr.  Pinckney  took  charge  of 
the  new  mission  station  at  Sinoe.  Bishop  Payne,  who 
had  visited  it  in  September  of  the  preceding  year,  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  establishment  of  a  station, 
thus  describes  it : 

"Sinoe  is  a  Liberian  settlement,  intermediate  be- 
tween Cape  Palmas  and  Bassa,  and  ninety  miles  from 
either  place,  the  apparent  prosperity  of  which  was 
greater  than  I  had  anticipated,  flattering  as  were  the 
accounts  I  had  heard.  Greenville,  the  seaport  town, 
presents  altogether  the  most  pleasant  and  respectable 
appearance  of  all  the  towns  in  Liberia.  Not  so  large 
by  half  as  Monrovia,  nor  having  so  large  a  number  of 
good  buildings,  it  is  yet  more  compact,  has  more  good 
houses  together,  and  the  style  of  building  is  better  and 
more  uniform.  This  arises  from  the  fact  that  the  in- 
habitants came  chiefly  from  the  cities  of  Charleston 
-and  Savannah,  and  are,  many  of  them,  men  of  means, 
and  excellent  mechanics.  I  believe  all  the  trades  are 
there  represented,  from  the  goldsmith  to  the  blacksmith. 

"A  fine  steam  saw-mill  has  been  erected  and  is  iu 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  119 

operation  on  the  Sinoe  river,  immediately  in  the  rear 
of  Greenville,  and  on  the  border  of  a  heavily-timbered 
forest.  Besides  the  town  of  Greenville,  there  are  four 
other  villages  on  the  Sinoe  river,  namely:  Farmers- 
ville,  Lexington,  Louisiana,  and  Eeadsville.  They  ex- 
tend to  the  distance  of  seven  miles  from  the  sea-shore, 
and  have  an  aggregate  population  of  about  fifteen 
hundred.  These  settlements  are  receiving  yearly  ac- 
cessions of  population  from  the  United  States,  and  are, 
I  think,  destined  to  improve  as  fast,  and  increase  as 
rapidly  almost,  as  any  other  places  in  Liberia. 

"Nor  does  the  native  less  than  the  colonist  interest 
claim  our  attention.  The  Sinoe  and  Kroo  and  Fish 
tribes  have  numerous  towns  on  every  side  of  the  set- 
tlements, for  whose  Christianization  the  first  well-ap- 
pointed measures  are  yet  to  be  taken." 

"  The  Bassa  Cove  station  may  now  be  regarded  as 
fairly  commenced.  The  settlement  of  Fishtown,  in  con- 
nection with  which  so  much  difficulty  had  occurred,  and 
upon  which  incipient  operations  had  in  some  measure 
depended,  has  been  effected.  More  than  two  hundred 
people  are  on  the  ground  ;  the  city  has  been  laid  off, 
lots  drawn,  and  buildings  carried  rapidly  forward 
towards  completion. 

"It  is  a  truly  beautiful  site,  richly  deserving  all  the 
encomiums  which  have  been  lavished  upon  it.  No- 
thing but  a  lack  of  enterprise  can  fail  to  make  it  the 
commercial  emporium  of  Liberia.  Fishtown  is  three 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's  river,  and  the 
present  settlement  of  Bassa  Cove.  With  the  settle- 
ment and  the  intervening  plain,  it  constitutes  the  city 
of  Buchanan.  The  project  of  a  railroad,  to  connect 
the  two  settlements,  is  in  agitation." 


120  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

"  On  tlie  western  border  of  Fishtown,  and  separated 
from  it  by  a  creek  or  lagoon,  and  two  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  John's,  is  the  site  for  the  station.  It 
has  the  advantages  of  retirement,  a  good  landing,  and 
exposure  to  the  life-inspiring  sea-breeze.  Ten  acres 
have  already  been  secured  from  the  government  at 
this  place  for  our  purposes.  Two  lots,  in  the  settle- 
ment at  Fishtown,  have  also  been  engaged,  to  erect  a 
school-house  or  church,  as  circumstances  shall  deter- 
mine. As  the  colonist  population  is  now,  and  will 
probably  be  for  some  time,  distributed  in  compara- 
tively small  towns  and  villages,  the  proper  mode  of 
reaching  it  will  be  to  erect  small  and  cheap  chapels  in 
each. 

"  Dr.  I.  S.  Smith,  resident  of  this  place,  has  been 
requested  to  act  as  agent  for  erecting  a  suitable  dwell- 
ing-house for  the  Mission.  The  plan  given  him  is  that 
of  a  building  two  stories  high,  with  five  rooms  and 
four  closets.  This  will  accommodate  permanently  a 
married  and  unmarried  missionary  and  teacher.  It 
may  be  also  used  at  first  as  a  storehouse,  and  for  a 
small  boarding-school." 

Mr.  Rambo,  who  expected  to  have  charge  of  this  sta- 
tion, visited  it  in  May  of  this  year,  and  thus  wrote  : 

"  Buchanan,  Bassa,  Liberia,  May  25,  1854. 
"  I  am  here  on  my  first  visit  to  see  the  place,  hasten 
the  building  of  our  mission-house,  and  make  some  ac- 
quaintances among  both  colonists  and  natives.  I  left 
Cape  Palmas  on  the  tenth,  when  all  our  Mission,  with 
one  or  two  exceptions  of  indisposition,  were  in  good 
health  and  spirits,  and  prosecuting  their  work  with 
cheerfulness  and  success. 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  121 

"  One  thing  and  another  has  delayed  the  commence- 
ment of  the  building  till  this  time.  The  frame  is  now 
cut,  and  the  boards  engaged,  and  soon  will  be  on  the 
spot.  ...  I  have  been  well  received,  and,  in  fact, 
cordially  welcomed  by  the  most  respectable  citizens 
here.  We  have  now  no  member  in  any  of  the  settle- 
ments, that  I  can  hear  of.  Some  who  were  formerly 
members  in  America,  not  finding  our  Church  here, 
have  connected  themselves  with  other  denominations. 
I  believe  the  Lord  has  an  excellent  work  for  our 
Church  to  accomplish  in  this  country,  both  amongst 
colonists  and  natives." 

"  This  afternoon,  an  old  gentleman  in  a  prominent 
station  called  upon  me,  to  inform  me  of  two  excellent 
openings  among  the  natives,  (Bassas.)  One  of  the  points 
was  sixteen,  and  the  other  ten  miles  distant.  The 
Methodists  formerly  had  schools  at  these  places ;  but 
since  they  have  deserted  them,  the  chiefs  have  called 
earnestly  in  vain  for  a  God-man." 

In  speaking  of  the  Bassas,  in  another  letter,  he  says  : 
"An  almost  unbounded  field  is  before  us.  Their 
country  embraces  at  least  ten  thousand  square  miles, 
which,  at  a  very  moderate  calculation,  must  contain 
from  fifty  thousand  to  eighty  thousand  souls,  all  speak- 
ing one  language. 

"  I  made  a  visit,  a  few  days  ago,  to  '  King  Peter 
Harris' '  town,  about  four  miles  from  Bassa  Cove, 
near  the  Benson  river.  The  town  was  very  small,  not 
containing  more  than  twenty -five  houses,  and  about 
one  hundred  persons.  This,  indeed,  is  rather  larger 
than  the  average  size  of  Bassa  towns,  a  large  number 

G 


122  DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA. 

being  smaller  than  this.  After  being  accustomed  to 
see  the  towns  of  the  Greboes,  averaging  from  four 
hundred  to  six  hundred  persons  each,  such  towns 
seem  quite  small.  The  houses,  however,  look  more 
substantial  and  comfortable  than  those  of  the  Cape 
Palmas  natives,  yet  they  do  not  last  so  long.  They 
have,  as  others,  ground  floors  and  thatched  roofs  ;  but 
the  interstices  between  the  upright  sticks  are  filled 
with  clay,  and  plastered  smoothly  inside  and  out. 
They  are  of  square  form,  high  doors,  with  roofs  pro- 
jecting three  or  four  feet,  so  as  to  form  a  good  veran- 
dah. Inside,  on  either  side,  are  wide  berths,  elevated, 
answering  for  beds,  neatly  constructed  of  plaited  bam- 
boo, which  are  fir  more  comfortable  than  the  hard 
clay  floor  on  which,  with  a  thin  mat  spread,  the  Gre- 
boes sleep.  , 

"  '  King  Peter'  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  of  the 
P>assa  chiefs,  speaks  broken  English,  and  is  a  friend 
of  Liberia  and  the  missionaries.  He  has  about  one 
hundred  towns  under  his  influence,  in  every  one  of 
which,  I  doubt  not,  the  Gospel  may  be  preached  with- 
out let  or  hindrance. 

"  These  people  are  less  fixed  in  their  abodes,  and 
their  country  far  more  sparsely  settled,  than  that  of 
1  he  Greboes ;  yet  this  fact,  together  with  their  desire  to 
become  assimilated  to  the  Liberians  and  other  foreign- 
ers, would  make  it  easy  for  a  missionary,  in  some  cen- 
tral place,  to  gather  around  him  hundreds  of  people, 
who  would  place  themselves  under  Liberian  laws,  and 
thus  be  somewhat  prepared  for  the  Gospel.  Sassa- 
wood,  witchcraft,  fetishism  to  some  extent,  and  break- 
ing of  the  Sabbath,  are  amongst  the  evils  which  some 


DAY   DAWN    IX   AFRICA.  123 

of  the  more  civilized  Bassas,  among  them  '  King  Peter' 
and  his  subjects,  have  professed  to  give  up,  especially 
where  the  influence  of  the  Liberian  laws  is  felt. 

"  I  conversed  some  time  with  King  Peter  and  his 
people,  and  preached  to  them.  He  promises  me  some 
of  his  boys,  as  soon  as  a  school  can  be  established 
among  them,  which  I  hope  may  be  next  year,  (though 
one  missionary  and  his  wife  can  not  do  all,  or  even 
commence  all,  that  is  desirable.)  Scores,  if  not  hun- 
dreds of  Bassa  youths,  are  employed  in  various  ways 
among  the  colonists  in  this  count}7-,  and  are  thus,  to 
some  extent,  being  civilized.  But  ivho  cares  for  their 
souls,  or  the  souls  of  the  natives  generally  ?  Almost 
no  one.  The  whole  land,  then,  or  nearly  so,  is  '  yet  to 
be  possessed.1  .  .  .  With  millions  of  treasure,  and 
many  young  candidates  for  orders,  (alas !  too  few,)  can 
not  the  Church  spare  enough  to  undertake  a  work 
which  promises  so  much  in  return  for  well-directed, 
prayerful  labor  ?  .  .  .  .  Shall  their  sad  cry,  (the 
cry  of  untold  millions  of  degraded,  superstitious, 
wretched  heathen  Africans,)  shall  their  sad  cry  remain 
unheeded  t  Will  Christians  at  home,  who  are  blessed 
with  all  spiritual  and  all  temporal  blessings,  rolling  in 
their  wealth,  say  indifferently,  '  Be  ye  (spiritually) 
clothed  and  warmed  and  fed,'  extending  no  hand  to 
help,  contributing  no  funds  to  aid,  offering  no  prayer 
to  save  these  enslaved  millions  ?" 

"  The  Liberians  of  this  county,"  adds  Mr.  R,  "  will 
give  our  Mission  a  hearty  welcome,  especially  on  ac- 
count of  what  they  consider  our  superior  manner  of 
managing  schools.  The  influence  of  our  Church  is 
also  much  needed,  and  it  will  in  due  time  meet,  I 
doubt  not,  with  success." 


124  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

At  Clay  Ashland  is  another  new  and  interesting 
mission  station.  "  This  is  the  name  of  a  township  on 
the  St.  Paul's  river,  beginning  ten  miles  above  Monro- 
via, and  embracing  the  most  populous  and  flourishing 
agricultural  district  of  Liberia." 

"At  the  beginning  of  last  year,"  writes  Bishop 
Payne,  "  a  late  prominent  minister  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  having  his  residence  in  this  neighborhood, 
became  a  candidate  for  orders  in  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  proposed  opening  a  mission  station 
under  my  direction.  As  it  is  the  very  spot  which  I 
should  have  selected,  could  I  have  had  my  choice,  for 
our  second  mission  station  in  Mesurado  count}r,  Mr. 
Eussell's  proposition  was  readily  assented  to.  During 
the  year,  I  accordingly  authorized  him  to  receive  fif- 
teen native  youths  under  his  care,  to  act  as  lay  reader 
amongst  the  colonists  in  the  neighborhood,  and  to 
erect  a  small  brick  church  edifice.  All  these  objects 
received  his  due  attention,  and  at  the  close  of  the  year, 
Grace  Church,  a  neat  little  G-othic  building,  was  nearly 
finished. 

"As  Mr.  Kussell  was  expecting  to  take  orders  early 
in  the  next  spring,  I  thought  proper  to  employ  Mr. 
Harris  as  teacher  at  his  station.  After  Mr.  Eussell's 
ordination,  Mr.  Harris  will  act  as  lay  reader  under  his 
direction,  and  the  joint  labors  of  the  two  will  extend 
our  services  to  all  the  settlements  on  St.  Paul's  river 
where  they  may  be  desired,  At  one  of  these  settle- 
ments, (called  New -York,)  an  enterprising  merchant 
has  given  to  the  Mission  a  lot,  and  some  means  for  the 
erection  of  a  chapel.  Mr.  Russell  has  also  kindly  of- 
fered desirable  lots,  for  school-houses  or  chapels,  as 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  125 

may  be  needed,  in  Clay  Ashland,  ten  miles  back  of 
Monrovia,  and  Caldwell.  A  merchant  has  made  a 
similar  offer  in  the  township  of  Louisiana.'1'' 

Mr.  Eussell  was  ordained  at  Cavalla  on  the  fifteenth 
day  of  February,  and  put  in  charge  of  Grace  Church. 

"  Through  the  great  mercy  of  God,  our  Mission  has 
now  attained  a  condition  which  may  well  rejoice  the 
hearts  and  strengthen  the  hands  of  its  friends,  and  of 
all  the  people  of  God. 

"  The  actual  existence  and  continual  progression 
during  eighteen  years,  has  placed  its  practicability  be- 
yond all  question." 

"  Conversions,  both  amongst  colonists  and  natives, 
have  afforded  proof  enough  that  the  Gospel  brings 
forth  fruit  here,  as  in  all  the  world,  where  it  is  faith- 
fully proclaimed. 

"  The  continual  enlargement  of  the  Mission  has  been 
a  most  evident  following  of  the  word  and  providence 
of  God,  and  is  therefore  God's  call'  to  the  Church  for 
ever-enlarging  prayers,  contributions,  and  efforts  in  its 
behalf. 

"  The  increase  of  colored  ministers  (colonist  and  na- 
tive) gives  promise  that  ere  long  the  work,  commenced 
by  foreign  missionaries,  may  be  carried  on  by  the 
Africans  themselves.  While  at  the  same  time  the  con- 
tinual accession  of  foreign  laborers  shows  that  God  is 
working  in  the  hearts  of  His  faithful  ones  to  come  up 
to  the  great  work  which  His  providence  is  about  to 
accomplish  in  Africa." 

And  now  again  the  angel  of  death  visited  the  Mis- 
sion band,  and  bore  away  from  our  midst  the  young 
missionary  physician.     In  announcing  his  death  to  the 


126  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

Foreign  Committee,  the  Bishop  gives  the  following 
touching  description  of  his  character  and  his  end : 

"  We  have  again  to  appeal  to  the  Church,  and  the 
thousands  of  medical  men  in  the  United  States,  for  a 
missionary  physician ;  for  on  yesterday  morning,  (July 
11th,)  Dr.  T.  K.  Steele  died  at  Cavalla,  in  the  faith 
and  love  and  peace  and  joy  of  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

"At  the  time  of  his  appointment,  Dr.  Steele  was 
thought  to  have  consumption  ;  and  the  voyage  to  this 
place  proved  injurious  rather  than  an  advantage.  Dur- 
ing the  six  months  of  his  missionary  life,  days  and 
nights  of  weariness  were  appointed  to  him ;  but  the 
'  life  of  Christ  was  manifested  in  his  mortal  body.' 

"In  love  and  faithfulness,  he  instructed  and  prayed 
with  the  heathen  with  whom  he  came  in  contact ;  in 
'unity,  like  the  precious  oil  which  ran  down  Aaron's 
beard,  he  dwelt  with  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  Mis- 
sion, ever  ready  to  do  them  service,  ever  regretting 
he  could  not  do  them  more.  In  patience  he  abided  the 
short  night  of  affliction,  yet  longing  for  the  morning ; 
and  as  the  shadows  of  Tuesday  night,  with  all  his 
earthly  night,  were  fleeing  away  together,  the  glorious 
heavenly  day  was  dawning  upon  him.  Yesterday 
morning,  about  nine  o'clock,  amidst  sorrowing  yet  re- 
joicing missionary  sisters  and  brethren,  did  this  lovely 
disciple  fall  asleep  in  Jesus,  and  was  carried  by  angels 
to  Abraham's  bosom.     Amen,  amen,  blessed  be  God !" 

"A  native  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  the  last  years 
of  Dr.  Steele's  life  were  spent  in  "Washington  City, 
D.  C,  where  (under  the  ministry  of  Eev.  C.  M.  But- 
ler, D.D.)  he  became  a  professing  Christian,  and  was  a 


DAY    DAWN    IN    AFRICA.  127 


communicant  in  Trinity  Church,  until  he  sailed  for 
Cape  Pal  mas,  where  it  was  hoped  his  deep  piety  and 
thorough  medical  education  would  make  him  a  bless- 
ing to  the  Mission." 

From  the  journal  of  another  member  of  the  Mission, 
we  quote  the  following  particulars  of  his  last  hours : 

"As  long  as  he  was  able  to  speak,  our  beloved 
young  friend  seemed  to  realize  more  and  more  of  the 
Saviour's  presence,  assuring  us  that  He  was  unspeak- 
ably precious  to  his  soul,  and  requesting  his  sister  not 
to  weep,  but  rather  to  rejoice  that  he  was  so  near  his 
home.  Soon  after,  as  his  nurse  was  changing  his  gar- 
ments, he  exclaimed  :  '  How  many  comforts  /  enjoy, 
unworthy  creature  that  I  am,  while  my  Saviour  had 
not  where  to  lay  His  head  !'  We  sang  for  him :  '  There 
is  a  land  of  pure  delight,'  'Jerusalem,  my  happy 
home,'  etc.  Thus  the  last  sounds  he  heard  on  earth 
were  songs  of  praise  to  the  precious  Eedeemer  who 
had  saved  him  from  his  sins,  and  whom  he  hoped 
soon  to  see  where  '  faith  is  swallowed  up  in  sight.' 

"  The  Bishop  made  a  very  appropriate  and  earnest 
address  to  the  heathen  who  attended  the  funeral,  on 
the  horrible  effects  of  sin,  showing  that  even  those 
whom  God  loved  must  pay  the  penalty  of  death,  and 
ending  by  drawing  a  contrast  between  the  peaceful 
death  of  the  young  Christian  whose  mortal  remains 
lay  before  them,  and  that  of  a  heathen  man  who  had 
died  about  the  same  time,  for  whom  firing  of  guns  and 
wild  lamentation  had  been  kept  up  several  hours.  '  If 
we  mourn,'  said  he,  '  it  is  for  ourselves,  because  we 
shall  see  our  friend  no  more  until  we  follow  him ;  but 
you  mourn,  because  you  never  again  expect  to  see 


128  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

jour  friend,  and  know  not  where  his  spirit  has  fled. 
"When  our  friends  die  in  the  Lord,  we  know  they  are 
happy  and  gone  to  rest." 

"  Gone  to  the  rest  of  the  ever  blessed, 
To  the  New  Jerusalem  ; 
Where  the  children  of  light  do  walk  in  white, 
And  the  Saviour  leadeth  them." 


C  \  a  $ 1 1 1    |(  i  n  f  Ir . 

"  Mt  word  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but  it  shall  accomplish 
that  which  I  please." — I3A.  55  :  11. 

Ix  May  of  tins  year  (1854)  two  more  ordinations 
took  place  at  St.  Mark's  Church.  Mr.  Pinckney  and 
Mr.  Green,  both  colonists,  were  ordained,  the  former 
priest,  and  the  latter  deacon.  Mr.  Green  went  to  Mon- 
rovia to  assist  Eev.  Mr.  Crummell ;  and  Mr.  Pinckney 
took  charge  of  the  congregation  at  the  flourishing  town 
of  Sinoe,  ninety  miles  north-west  of  Cape  Palmas. 

An  increased  religious  interest  was  manifested  in  the 
Maryland  Colony  at  Cape  Palmas,  and  before  the  close 
of  the  year  twenty  communicants  were  added  to  St. 
Mark's  Church. 

While  the  colonists  here,  (as  at  Monrovia,  and  other 
places  in  Liberia,)  who  have  had  capital  and  business 
knowledge,  have  done  well — have  in  some  cases  be- 
come rich — we  find  that  there  is  much  bitter  suffering 
among  the  poor ;  and  the  cause  of  this  is  stated  in  the 
journal  of  the  missionary  in  charge,  Rev.  Mr.  Scott : 

11  May  2\st. — After  service  to-day,  I  visited  a  num- 
ber of  sick  persons  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  church. 
Four  of  the  persons,  I  visited,  are  very  ill,  and  almost 
entirely  dependent  on  the  charities  of  their  neighbors 
for  the  means  of  subsistence.  A  good  proportion  of 
the  colonists  here  are  unable  to  provide  themselves 

6* 


loO  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFEICA. 

•with  much  more  than  the  necessaries  of  life;  and  in 
times  of  sickness  are  compelled  to  dispense  with  almost 
every  thing  like  comfort,  not  being  able,  indeed,  to 
provide  themselves  with  the  medicines  needed. 

"Will  not  the  friends  of  colonization,  who  are  favored 
with  an  abundance  of  this  world's  goods,  contribute 
something  towards  the  relief  of  the  poor  at  Cape  Pal- 
mas  ?  Only  a  few  of  the  emigrants  possess  any  thing 
of  importance  on  their  arrival,  and  consequently  are 
unable  to  contribute  much  to  the  relief  of  the  suffering. 
It  is  proposed  to  erect  an  asylum  for  the  helpless,  and 
a  small  sum  has  already  been  obtained  for  it ;  but  un- 
less aid  is  obtained  from  abroad,  several  years  must 
elapse  before  a  suitable  building  can  be  erected.* 

"  The  people,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  may  in  a 
few  years  be  able  to  take  care  of  themselves ;  but  that 
a  small  colony,  without  foreign  aid,  in  the  infancy  of 
their  existence,  in  a  climate,  for  the  first  year  or  two, 
trying  to  their  health,  should  be  able  to  provide  them- 
selves with  the  comforts  of  life,  and  supply  all  the 
wants  of  the  poor,  is  a  degree  of  success  no  people  have 
ever  yet  attained." 

From  the  same  journal  we  take  the  following  ex- 
tracts, which  will  serve  to  give  some  idea  of  their  reli- 
gious state : 

uMay  lid. — Passed  by  the  house  of  a  colonist  this 
morning,  whom  I  visited  some  days  since  in  his  last 
illness,  intending  to  visit  him  again  to-day,  but  was 
surprised  to  learn  that  his  spirit,  a  few  hours  before, 
had  returned  to  his  God.     Whilst  I  sympathized  with 

*  We  hope  an  hospital  will  bo  built  ere  long  at  this  place. 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  131 

his  afflicted  family,  I  rejoiced  at  his  departure ;  for  in 
his  humble  life  he  walked  with  Jesus,  and  in  his  dying- 
hours  he  was  not  deserted.  As  I  communed  with  him 
a  few  days  before,  and  heard  from  his  lips  expressions 
of  joy  which  none  but  the  dying  Christian  experiences, 
I  felt  it  was  good  to  be  there." 

"  June  17th. — Spent  the  day  in  visiting  the  members 
of  St.  Mark's,  and  other  sick  persons  in  the  colony. 
In  the  morning  visited  a  colonist  woman,  who  is,  to  all 
appearances,  near  her  end,  and  without  any  hope  in 
Christ ;  and  says,  she  never  in  her  life  felt  sin  to  be  a 
burden.  After  striving  to  awaken  her  to  a  sense  ol 
her  danger,  I  left  the  house  with  a  sad  heart.  In  the 
afternoon  visited  old  aunt  Rachel,  a  blind  woman, 
nearly  a  hundred  years  old,  and  found  her  apparently 
dying ;  but  with  her  faculties  clear,  and  perfectly  hap- 
py. When  asked  if  she  was  willing  to  go  and  be  with 
Jesus,  she  replied,  that  the  only  fear  she  had  was,  that 
she  was  too  anxious  to  go,  and  hadn't  patience  to  wait 
the  Lord's  time.  Never,  from  any  other  dying  lips 
did  I  hear  such  expressions  of  thankfulness  and  joy. 
She  thanked  God  that  she  was  born,  to  be  born  again  ; 
and  though  she  could  not  articulate  without  difficulty, 
she  sweetly  sang : 

•■  Jesufl  can  make  a  dung-bed 
Feel  soft  as  downy  piLlows  err." 

"  As  I  was  entering  the  heathen  town  at  the  Cape 
to-day,  I  saw  a  large  crowd  of  people,  mostly  children, 
in  pursuit  of  a  man  who  had  just  taken  sassa  wood, 
ready  to  beat  him  to  death  with  stones  and  clubs,  as 
soon  as  he  should  fall.     He  ran  into  a  house,  where  he 


132  DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA. 

was  protected  from  his  pursuers,  until  the  fatal  poison 
had  done  its  work." 

What  a  contrast  between  the  deaths  of  these  two 
Africans  !  She,  waiting  with  patient  joy  for  the  long- 
expected  hour  when  her  blind  eyes  should  open  upon 
the  glories  of  the  upper  sanctuary,  and  behold  Him 
who  had  died  for  her  redemption.  He,  ignorant  of 
God,  and  without  hope  beyond  the  grave,  rushing  un- 
called into  eternity,  and  lying  down,  like  a  hunted 
beast,  to  bear  his  dying  agonies  alone.  What  matters 
it  to  blind,  old  Kachel  now,  that  in  her  youth,  she  was 
exiled  from  her  own  land,  and  lived  in  bondage  to  a 
foreign  race,  since  there  she  found  a  Saviour ;  and, 
unlike  millions  of  her  own  people,  could  rejoice  in  the 
prospect  of  death  ? 

"  June  18th. — Called  again  this  morning,"  writes 
Mr.  S.,  "to  see  aunt  Rachel,  and  found  her  almost 
speechless,  but  still  rejoicing  in  the  Saviour.  She  said 
she  was  almost  home,  and  would  '  give  God  all  the 
glory;'  and  thanked  Him  for  all  her  trials,  without 
which  she  would  not  have  known  so  much  of  her 
Saviour." 

In  the  other  mission  stations  among  the  colonists, 
an  increased  interest  in  religious  affairs  was  manifest. 
Rev.  Alex.  Crummell,  in  a  letter,  dated  Monrovia, 
Nov.  11th,  1854,  says:  "We  have  great  cause  for 
thankfulness  to  almighty  God,  for  His  favor,  His  mer- 
cy, and  His  love.  Our  school  (and  Sunday-school)  is 
in  an  unusually  progresive  state.  Unfortunately  our 
male  teachers  are  few  in  number ;  and,  therefore,  both 
Mr.  Green  and  myself  are  obliged,  besides  our  other 
duties,  to  attend  Sunday-school  twice  every  Sunday. 


DAY   DAWN    IN   AFltlCA.  133 

Every  week  we  have  an  increase  of  scholars  in  attend- 
ance. On  Monday  afternoons,  at  four  o'clock,  we 
always  gather  our  little  ones  together  for  catechising." 

"Here,  also,  we  see  a  regular  increase.  They  as- 
semble at  my  house,  and  their  improvement  in  man- 
ners, and  their  advancement  in  acquaintance  with  cate- 
chism and  scriptural  proofs  thereof,  would  please  any 
pastor.  We  have  no  part  of  our  work  more  pleasing 
and  encouraging  than  our  work  among  the  little  ones 
of  Christ's  flock." 

"  Our  church  attendance  increases  regularly  as  well 
as  our  members.  No  month  passes  without  some  little 
one  baptized  into  the  fold,  and  some  new  adult  added 
to  our  list  of  members.  The  29th  and  30th  of  October 
were  two  '  high  days'  with  us :  the  former,  the  twen- 
tieth Sunday  in  Trinity,  completed  a  year  since  we 
commenced  services  at  'Trinity  Church.'  "We  cele- 
brated our  anniversary  on  the  same  Sunday.  On 
Monday  morning,  the  30th,  we  again  held  service, 
celebrated  the  Holy  Communion,  and  then  went  in 
procession  to  the  place  where  we  are  building  Trinity 
Church,  and  I  laid  the  corner-stone  thereof,  with  ap- 
propriate services,  and  delivered  an  address  on  the 
occasion.  The  whole  town  showed  much  interest  in 
the  event.  On  October  2d,  we  celebrated  the  anniver- 
sary of  our  Sunday-school.  The  children  assembled 
at  half-past  ten  ;  prayer,  reading  of  the  Bible,  singing, 
catechising  the  children,  and  addresses  by  myself  and 
assistant,  and  three  others,  were  the  exercises  of  the 
morning;  after  which  the  children  walked  in  proces- 
sion to  my  residence,  where  they  had  lunch,  and  then 
spent  the  afternoon  in  play." 


13-i  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

"Mr.  Bass,  one  of  our  young  communicants,  has 
succeeded  in  erecting  a  thatched  building,  and  opened 
a  small  school,  which  promises  to  increase.  When 
Bishop  Payne  was  here  last  October,  he  said  he  saw 
the  need  of  immediate  effort  to  erect  a  church  edifice 
for  the  church  people  of  this  town.  For  this  purpose 
he  gave  a  donation  of  $500,  and  requested  me  to  write 
to  several  parties  in  the  United  States,  and  to  push  on 
in  our  efforts,  so  that  the  walls  might  be  up,  and 
the  roof  on,  during  the  present  dry  season.  In  com- 
pliance with  these  orders,  I  wrote  to  a  few  clergymen, 
asking  their  interest  in  our  undertaking,*  and  having 
no  plans,  I  got  a  friend  in  England  to  obtain  for  us  a 
neat  and  handsome  model  for  a  church. 

"  It  is  with  great  regret  that  we  feel  obliged  to  cease, 
even  for  a  brief  period,  our  efforts  for  our  growing 
church,  in  the  capital,  the  place  of  resort  from  every  part 
of  Liberia.  We  are  very  fortunate  in  the  selection  of  a 
site :  the  first  rise  of  the  hill  which  stretches  out  into 
a  cape,  where  there  is  no  place  of  worship,  and  which 
is  being  more  rapidly  settled  by  new  comers  than  any 
other  portion  of  the  neighborhood 

"  The  site  was  a  mass  of  rocks ;  and  for  weeks  we 
have  been  drilling  and  blasting,  and  the  masons  laying 
the  foundations  as  fast  as  a  clearance  could  be  made. 
Three  sides  of  the  foundation  of  the  church  have  been 
laid  in  solid  rock ;  and  on  those  three  sides  the  founda- 
tion has  been  carried  up  three  feet." 

The  following  letter,  from  Eev.  Eobert  Smith,  to  the 

*  Since  this  letter  was  written,  the  Sunday-school  of  St.  George's 
Church,  New-York,  has  undertaken  the  whole  expense  of  building  this 
church  at  Monrovia. 


PAY    DAWN    IN   AFRICA.  135 

Secretary  of  the  Foreign  Committee,  gives  an  account 
of  his  voyage  to  Africa,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Payne, 
the  wife  of  the  Bishop,  and  Miss  Alley.  It  is  dated  at 
Monrovia,  Dec.  19th,  1854: 

"  By  an  English  steamer  that  is  expected  in  this 
port  hourly,  I  send  you  the  gratifying  intelligence  of 
our  safe  arrival.  We  anchored  in  this  harbor  last 
Sunday  morning,  after  a  passage  of  fifty-one  days. 
Our  passage,  you  perceive,  has  been  a  long  one,  and  it 
has  also  been  a  tedious  one.  For  the  first  twenty-five 
days  we  were  hindered  by  strong  head-winds  and 
storms,  and  for  the  last  ten  days  by  calms.  *  *  *  * 
We  had  public  worship  every  Sabbath  morning  after 
the  storm  had  been  passed,  and  morning  and  evening 
prayers,  besides  occasional  prayer-meetings.  And  I 
am  happy  to  inform  you  that  we  have  enjoyed  very 
cheering  tokens  of  the  special  presence  and  gracious 
operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Several  of  our  party, 
we  have  good  reason  to  believe,  have  passed  from 
death  to  life ;  among  whom  are  one  of  the  officers,  and 
two  other  of  the  ship's  company :  professing  Christians, 
who  had  grown  cold,  and  well  nigh  abandoned  their 
hope  in  Christ,  have  been  quickened,  and  all,  I  believe, 
have  felt  a  new  impulse  heavenward.  Our  Methodist 
fellow-passengers  have  been  profitable  companions; 
and  altogether  our  time  has  passed  agreeably  and  pro- 
fitably. 

"And  now  we  are  in  Africa,  we  all  thank  God. 
We  have  no  desire  to  return  to  our  dear,  dear  Father- 
land. We  love  her — oh !  how  well !  But  God  forbid 
that  we  should  ever  be  willing  to  abandon  a  post  of 
duty  so  manifestly  assigned  us  by  the  Head  of  the 


136  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

Church.  We  are  happy  in  our  present  situation ;  and 
we  shall  be  still  more  so  when  we  get  to  our  home. 

"  I  have  been  on  shore  twice^  Yesterday  I  called 
upon  his  Excellency  the  President  of  Liberia,  in  com- 
pany with  that  very  agreeable  gentleman  and  officer, 
Captain  Whittle,  of  the  United  States  ship  Dale.  I 
called  upon  Eev.  Mr.  Crummell  also,  having  been 
visited  by  him  on  board  the  Estelle.  He  is  very  well, 
as  is  his  colleague,  Eev.  Mr.  Green.  I  was  favorably 
impressed  with  their  intelligence. 

"  Trinity  Church  is  going  up  slowly,  that  is,  the 
foundation  is  being  laid.  The  situation  is  a  very  agree- 
able one.  Mr.  Crummell  speaks  very  encouragingly 
of  the  prospects  of  his  rising  church ;  and  I  have  heard 
him  favorably  mentioned. 

"To-day  I  visited  the  Legislature,  which  is  now  in 
session.  The  President  delivered  a  message  before  the 
Legislature,  and  it  was,  such  as  all  of  his  public  efforts 
are,  straightforward  and  excellent.  President  Roberts 
is  a  true  man,  admirably  qualified  for  his  position, 
which  I  am  sorry  to  hear  he  will  not  continue  to 
occupy. 

"Every  thing  looks  strange,  and  nature,  doubly 
deeply  interesting.  We  found  letters  here  from  Cape 
Palmas  reporting  all  well.  Mr.  Home  has  joined  the 
host  of  the  white-robed  throng  before  the  throne.  The 
particulars  of  his  death  I  have  not  heard.  When  we 
reach  Cape  Palmas,  I  will  write  again. 

"Robert  Smith." 

The  event  referred  to  in  the  close  of  the  preceding 
letter,  had  cast  a  shade  of  gloom  over  the  Mission. 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  137 

"We  quote  the  particulars  from  the  Bishop's  letter  to 
the  Foreign  Committee : 

"  The  Eev.  George  W.  Home  died  at  Eocktown  on 
the  2d  of  October,  185-1.  He  had  long  been  in  feeble 
health,  and  had,  in  fact,  made  all  his  arrangements  to 
return  to  the  United  States.  He  expired,  most  unex- 
pectedly to  every  one  but  his  faithful,  sorrowing  wife. 
She  alone  was  too  fully  aware  of  the  certain  failing  of 
life  and  strength.  At  Mrs.  Home's  request,  I  went  to 
Eocktown,  and  remained  with  Mr.  IT.  a  week.  At  the 
expiration  of  the  time  he  seemed  much  better.  Indeed, 
he  preached  the  Sunday  after  I  left ;  but  he  became  so 
unwell  again,  that  the  physician  continued  to  visit  him 
until  the  day  before  yesterday,  when  he  reported  him 
much  improved.  Such  was  the  account  I  received  last 
evening  at  Cavalla,  about  eight  o'clock.  At  the  same 
hour  a  note  was  penned  to  me  from  Eocktown,  an- 
nouncing his  death.  He  continued  to  direct  every 
thing  connected  with  his  family  and  himself  to  the  last 
moment,  and  Mrs.  H.  thinks  he  was  not  aware  his  end 
was  at  hand. 

"  Mrs.  Home,  I  am  thankful  to  find,  bears  her  afflic- 
tion with  becoming  resignation.  She  will  return,  by  the 
first  good  opportunity,  to  her  parents  at  Middletown,  Ct. 
Her  sweet  child,  thank  God,  is  spared  her,  and  is  in 
very  good  health." 

Mr.  Augustus  Eogers,  the  faithful  and  efficient 
teacher  of  the  male  native  school  at  Cavalla,  was  com- 
pelled, by  declining  health,  to  withdraw  from  the  Mis- 
sion in  October  of  this  year.  Not  finding  a  vessel  to 
carry  him  directly  to  the  United  States,  and  feeling 
the  need  of  surgical  assistance,  he  took  passage  to 


138  I)AY    DAWN    IN    AFRICA. 

Hamburgh,  Germany,  and  there  died,  shortly  after  his 
arrival.  In  speaking  of  his  loss  to  the  school,  the 
Bishop  writes,  under  date  of  September  26  : 

"  I  have  to  divide  with  brothers  Scott  and  Kambo 
the  duties  of  school-teacher.  We  are  assisted  by 
Brownell  and  Kinckle,  (native  youths,)  both  of  whom 
have  made  great  improvement,  and  the  former,  I  hope, 
by  the  beginning  of  next  year,  will  be  prepared  to  take 
the  principal  charge  of  the  school.  He  and  all  the 
boys  have  made  astonishing  improvement  under  Mr. 
Kogers  ;  and  the  school  is  now  left  in  such  a  fine  state 
of  discipline,  that  my  part  is  performed  in  it  with  plea- 
sure. Still  I  hope  you  will  send  us  some  good  teach- 
ers for  boys  as  well  as  for  girls.  *  *  *  *  Amidst 
all  our  trials  and  tribulations  for  Jesus'  sake,  how 
blessed  our  consolations  also  !" 

"At  Mount  Yaughan  there  has  been  a  gracious  visi- 
tation of  the  Spirit  to  the  members  of  the  High  School. 
Eight  boys  (colonist)  have  made  a  profession  of  faith 
in  Christ.  The  Spirit's  influences  were  granted  in  the 
course  of  regular  services  and  duties;  and  on  this 
account  we  hope  they  will  be  more  abiding  in  their 
effects.  Brother  Scott  is  spending  this  week  at  Cape 
Pal  mas,  collecting  and  preparing  candidates  for  con- 
firmation. He  writes  me  that  St.  Mark's  has  been 
favored  with  an  outpouring  of  the  Spirit.  He  has 
already  a  class  of  twenty  for  confirmation,  including 
those  from  the  High  School." 

After  the  death  of  Rev.  Mr.  Home,  Mr.  Wright, 
who  had  been  ordained  priest  on  the  3d  of  September, 
took  charge  of  the  station  at  Rocktown,  and  continued 
to  discharge  the  duties  thereof — at  the  same  time  hav- 


DAY'    DAWN    IN   AFRICA.  139 

ing  an  oversight  of  his  former  station  at  Fishtown — 
until  the  month  of  March  following,  when  failure  of 
health  compelled  him  to  return  to  the  United  States. 

One  of  the  greatest  trials  of  the  faith  of  the  mission- 
ary band,  is  to  see  important  stations  left  vacant  at  a 
time,  when,  after  years  of  patient  waiting,  the  fruits 
begin  to  appear. 

In  addition  to  Rocktown  and  Fishtown,  Taboo, 
thirty  miles,  and  Rockbooka,  twenty  miles,  east  of 
Cape  Palmas,  have  been  left  for  several  years  without 
a  white  missionary. 

In  this  connection,  the  following  extract  from  the 
journal  of  one  of  the  missionaries,  comes  with  touching- 
sadness  to  the  ear : 

"  Went  to  Taboo  to-day. 

"  On  my  return,  I  stopped  at  the  site  of  the  old 
mission-house  at  Rockbooka,  a  sweet  spot,  where  a 
few  years  since  the  sacrifice  of  prayer  and  praise 
ascended  daily  to  the  triune  God. 

"As  I  walked  among  the  fruit  and  flower  trees, 
planted  and  reared  by  those  who  will  never  again  look 
on  them,  my  heart  was  filled  with  sadness,  and  I  won- 
dered if  the  time  would  ever  come  when  this  beautiful 
wilderness  would  bloom  again. 

"  If  God's  ministers  fully  realized  the  awfully  sad 
condition  of  the  heathen  of  Africa,  and  their  claims 
upon  the  Church  for  the  only  remedy  for  their  degra- 
dation, this  and  other  stations  which  have  been  opened 
would  not  long  be  deserted  for  the  want  of  laborers. 

"Are  there  not  many  pious  young  men  in  America 
—  private  members  of  the  Church — who  would  esteem 
it  a  glorious  privilege  to  be  engaged  in  this  most 
blessed  work?" 


Chapter   %t\\t\. 

"  My  name  shall  be  great  among  the  heathen,  saith  the  Lord  of 
host?.1' — Mal.  1:11. 

In  March  of  this  year,  (1855,)  Eev.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Eambo  removed  to  Bassa  Cove,  one  hundred  and 
eighty  miles  north  of  Cape  Palmas,  to  take  charge  of 
the  new  station  opened  at  that  point. 

Under  date  of  June  29th,  Mr.  B,  writes :  "  I  still 
continue  to  preach  once  and  to  lecture  once  at  every 
Lord's  day  at  this  station,  and  once  every  fortnight  at 
Lower  Buchanan,  when  the  lameness  from  which  I 
am  temporarily  suffering  will  permit.  My  Bible  class 
and  lectures  are  also  held  in  the  course  of  each  week. 
Our  congregations  are  not  large,  but  having  no  other 
place  at  present  in  which  to  officiate  but  a  private 
dwelling,  we  can  not  expect  so  large  and  attentive  an 
attendance  as  if  we  had  a  building  for  the  purpose. 
The  Sunday-school,  which  we  opened  a  few  weeks  ago 
at  Lower  Buchanan,  has  now  twenty -five  pupils  en- 
rolled, most  of  whom  are  regular  attendants.  The 
examination  of  our  High  School  took  place  ten  days 
ago.  The  scholars,  of  whom  there  are  as  yet  but 
seven,  stood  a  fair  examination.  I  am  happy  to  say 
that  two  of  these  pupils  are  communicants,  and  a  third 
is  to  be  baptized  on  Sunday  next.  We  have  reason  to 
hope  that  another  will  soon  be  added.     I  regularly 


DAY   DAWN    IX   AFRICA.  141 

hear  the  recitations  of  Mr.  McMerwin  and  Mr.  Oliver. 
Both  are  likely  to  be  useful  as  agents,  if  not  deacons, 
to  which  they  are  now  aspiring." 

In  April  of  the  same  year,  the  Orphan  Asylum, 
after  many  delays,  was  sufficiently  completed,  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scott  removed  to  Cape  Palmas,  to 
take  charge  of  this  institution,  and  of  the  mission  sta- 
tion at  that  place. 

Previous  to  this  time,  no  white  missionary  of  our 
Church  had  resided  at  Cape  Palmas,  though  it  had 
always  been  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  Mission, 
and  Mount  Vaughan,  the  oldest  mission  building,  is 
but  three  miles  distant.  The  missionary  residing  there, 
and  those  at  Cavalla,  had  regularly  preached  at  the 
Cape. 

About  two  years  prior  to  this  time,  N.  S.  Harris,  a 
member  of  the  native  school  at  Cavalla,  asked  the 
Bishop's  permission  to  remove  to  Cape  Palmas,  and 
become  a  regular  teacher  to  the  people  of  his  own 
tribe  residing  there. 

On  arriving  at  the  Cape,  Harris  called  the  natives 
together,  and  told  them  that  as  there  was  no  house  yet 
ready  at  the  Cape  for  a  white  missionary,  he  thought 
it  was  his  duty  to  give  them  such  instruction  as  he  was 
qualified  for,  and  that  he,  having  been  educated  by 
the  missionaries,  felt  himself  prepared  to  teach  the 
Gospel  to  them  and  their  children.  He  then  proposed 
to  teach  a  boarding-school  during  the  week,  and  to 
preach  the  Gospel  in  their  towns  on  Sunday.  The 
people  gladly  agreed,  and  in  a  short  time  he  had  a 
school  collected  at  "Green  Hill,"  a  beautiful  spot  near 
the  Cape,  where  a  neat  little  house  had  been  erected 


1-42  PAY   DAWN    IN   AFRICA. 

for  the  purpose.  Kegularly  on  Sunday  he  went  into 
the  heathen  towns  around  the  Cape,  and  read  and 
explained  the  Scriptures  to  his  idolatrous  countrymen. 
At  first  they  gathered  around  him  to  hear  the  interest- 
ing fables,  as  they  supposed  the  parables  and  miracles 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  to  be.  In  the  course  of  a 
few  months,  however,  they  began  to  believe  that  there 
might  be  some  truth  in  these  strange  stories ;  and,  as 
conviction  fastened  upon  their  minds,  one  and  another 
would  shake  his  head  gravely,  and  say  to  Harris : 
"Hanh  te  ne  ahpode"  "  The  thing,  or  word,  you  speak 
is  true." 

The  remarkable  zeal  and  earnestness  of  this  young 
native  teacher,  combined  with  his  great  rhetorical 
powers,  prepared  him  for  more  than  ordinary  useful- 
ness. In  season  and  out  of  season  he  preached  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  It  was  evident  to  his  people  that 
there  must  be  some  power  in  the  religion  he  professed, 
to  account  for  his  great  devotion  to  his  work.  "When 
they  had  seen  white  men  laboring  in  this  manner, 
they  would  say,  "  God  has  made  white  man  to  have  a 
different  fashion  from  black  man ;"  but  when  they 
became  the  daily  witnesses  to  the  upright  life  of  one 
of  their  own  people,  and  saw  him  conduct  himself,  in 
every  point,  as  a  consistent  Christian,  they  felt  con- 
vinced that  the  white  man's  religion  had  power  to 
turn  Africans  also  from  their  wicked  ways.  The  Ny- 
ekbade,  or  old  men,  passed  a  law  prohibiting  labor  on 
the  Sabbath ;  and  a  spirit  of  inquiry  concerning  reli- 
gious matters  appeared  to  have  been  aroused  in  the 
minds  of  the  people  generally.  When  Mr.  Scott  went 
up  to  the  Cape  every  other  week  to  preach,  (as  he  did 


DAY    DAWN    IN    AFRICA.  143 

for  more  than  a  year  before  he  left  Cavalla,)  he  found 
large  congregations  gathered  to  meet  him,  by  the  per- 
severing efforts  of  this  devoted  teacher  ;  and,  by  many, 
an  earnest  desire  was  expressed  to  be  fully  instructed 
in  the  Gospel. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Scott  settled  at  the  Cape,  a  commo- 
dious chapel  (costing  about  three  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars)  was  completed  for  the  natives.  This  building, 
called  Church  of  the  Evangelists,  was  erected  almost 
entirely  by  contributions  from  missionaries  and  colon- 
ists. The  natives  were  exceedingly  gratified  to  have 
a  white  missionary,  and  a  place  of  worship  that  they 
could  call  their  own.  From  this  time,  the  congregation 
increased  in  size  and  in  interest.  The  missionary 
divided  his  time  between  the  colonists  and  natives, 
preaching  in  the  morning  at  St.  Mark's,  the  colonial 
church,  and  in  the  afternoon  at  the  native  chapel. 

About  this  time,  it  was  thought  expedient  to  remove 
the  native  boarding  school  from  Green  Hill,  to  a  beau- 
tiful plain  on  Hoffman  river,  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  the  Cape.  It  is  proposed  to  establish  at  this  place, 
now  called  Hoffman  Station,  another  Christian  village. 
Already  several  young  men,  who  are  interested  in  the 
Gospel,  have  expressed  a  desire  to  remove  to  it ;  and 
we  have  reason  to  hope  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant, 
when  here,  as  at  Cavalla,  the  voice  of  "thanksgiving 
and  melody"  shall  be  heard  from  the  happy  homes  of 
many  regenerated  heathen. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  journals  of  mission- 
aries, will  give  some  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  work 
among  the  heathen  : 

"Nov.  21s/,  Mr.  Scott  writes :  '  Went  to  Taboo  today, 


144  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

accompanied  by  Eev.  C.  F.  Jones,  and  spent  three 
days,  during  which  time  we  preached  at  ten  different 
towns  among  the  Baboes  and  Plaboes. 

"  Had  many  animated  discussions  with  the  people 
on  the  subject  of  gree-grees,  and  found  them  very  much 
more  wedded  to  their  superstitions  than  the  Greboes, 
the  difference  to  be  attributed  doubtless  to  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Gospel  to  the  latter,  and  their  intercourse 
with  the  colonists  at  Cape  Pal  mas. 

"Nov.  26th,  (Sunday.) — Preached  at  Nyaro  this  morn- 
ing. Found  Hyano  very  sick,  but  in  a  peaceful  and 
happy  frame  of  mind.  By  this  sickness  he  is  afforded 
an  opportunity  of  showing  his  people  that  the  Gospel 
has  power  to  drive  all  superstitious  fears  from  the 
mind.  When  any  one  among  them  is  seriously  ill,  he 
is  taken  by  his  friends  from  his  home,  and  conveyed 
secretly  to  some  other  house,  from  the  fear  that  those 
who,  they  imagine,  have  produced  the  sickness,  by 
means  of  witchcraft,  will  succeed  in  effecting  his  death. 
This  old  disciple  has  persisted  in  remaining  in  his  own 
house,  and  walking  in  the  town,  when  he  is  able,  very 
much  to  the  surprise  of  his  people. 

"Nov.  29th. — Saw  a  woman  dead  on  the  beach  to- 
day. She  and  another  of  the  wives  of  her  husband 
had  a  quarrel,  and  agreed  to  settle  it  by  both  taking 
sassa-wood,  which  proved  fatal  in  her  case. 

"Dec.  1st. — Lectured  at  St.  Mark's  this  afternoon, 
preparatory  to  the  Communion. 

"Dec.  3d,  (Sunday.) — Lectured  to  confirmation  class, 
preached,  and  administered  communion  at  St.  Mark's 
Church  this  morning,  and  delivered  an  address  at  the 
monthly  missionary  meeting  in  the  evening. 


DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA.  145 

"Dec.  7th. — Delivered  the  address  at  the  monthly  mis- 
sionary meeting  at  Cavalla  this  evening,  giving  a 
sketch  of  the  progress  of  the  Gospel  in  the  Polynesian 
islands. 

"Dec.  Lllh. — Heard  this  morning  of  an  incident 
which  well  illustrates  the  disposition  which  prevails 
among  the  heathen  of  Africa  to  keep  all  on  a  common 
level.  A  man  at  Dodo-lu  having  made  a  good  deal  of 
money  by  collecting  rock  for  the  church  at  this  place, 
excited  the  cupidity  of  his  people ;  and  they  have 
determined  to  share  his  gains  on  the  trifling  pleas  of 
his  having  detracted  from  the  appearance  of  the  en- 
trance to  the  town,  and  taken  a  part  of  the  rock  from 
holy  ground. 

"  There  is  among  them  scarcely  any  encouragement 
to  more  than  enough  industry  to  obtain  the  necessaries 
of  life ;  for,  as  soon  as  one  begins  to  lay  by  a  portion 
of  his  gains,  he  becomes  a  prey  to  his  ravenous  people, 
who  are  never  satiated  until  they  have  brought  him  to 
their  own  level ;  to  get  possession  of  his  property,  they 
often  compel  the  unfortunate  individual,  under  a  false 
charge,  to  drink  the  deadly  sassa-wood. 

"Dec.  24:th,  (Sunday.) — Our  Convocation  services 
commenced  this  morning  at  St.  Mark's  Church.  The 
Bishop  preached  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  confirmed 
twenty-three  young  persons,  two  of  whom  are  con- 
nected with  the  congregation  at  Cavalla.  Three  others 
who  are  candidates  for  confirmation,  were  prevented 
being  present  by  sickness  and  other  causes.  After 
confirmation,  communion  was  administered,  and  in  the 
afternoon  sermons  were  preached  bv  Mr.  Gibson  and 
Mr.  Wright. 


146  BAY   DAWK    IX   AFRICA. 

"Christmas-day. — I  preached  the  Convocation  sermon 
this  morning.  In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  celebration 
of  the  two  Sunday-schools  of  St.  Mark's  and  Mount 
Vaughan.  The  children  with  their  parents  and  teach- 
ers first  assembled  at  St.  Mark's,  where  they  were 
addressed  by  the  Bishop ;  after  which  they  marched 
in  procession,  with  a  number  of  appropriate  banners, 
to  a  pleasant  spot  on  the  point  of  the  Cape,  near  the 
Orphan  Asylum  ;  here  they  sang  two  hymns,  and  lis- 
tened to  an  address  from  Mr.  Eambo,  at  the  close  of 
which  refreshments  were  handed  around ;  and,  about 
sun-set,  the  exercises  closed  with  the  gift  of  a  small 
book  to  every  child  connected  with  the  schools. 

"  In  the  evening  we  held  the  usual  missionary  meet  • 
ing  of  the  Convocation,  at  which  reports  were  read  and 
addresses  delivered.  Thus  closed  the  religious  exer- 
cises of  our  Convocation,  which  were  well  attended 
throughout  by  attentive  hearers. 

"Jan.  7th. — Held  the  usual  services  at  St.  Mark's 
this  morning,  and  preached  in  the  largest  native  town 
of  Cape  Pal  mas  in  the  afternoon. 

"As  I  was  urging  upon  the  people  the  importance 
of  taking  the  Lord  for  their  guide  during  the  year 
upon  which  we  have  just  entered,  I  discovered  a  large 
grce-gree,  which  they  had  erected  to  aid  them  in  clear- 
ing their  farms.  When  I  called  their  attention  to  it, 
and  endeavored  to  show  them  the  folly  of  putting  their 
trust  in  wood  and  stone,  instead  of  the  great  God,  who 
made  and  sustains  the  world,  many  of  them  seemed 
ashamed.  A  majority  of  the  leading  men  in  Cape 
Palmas  towns  have  lost  confidence  in  gree-grees ;  but, 
like  the  philosophers  among  the  anc:ent  Romans,  they 


DAY   DAWN    IN   AFRICA.  147 

think  it  inexpedient  to  oppose  the  superstitions  of  the 
multitude.  Not  unfrequently  we  meet  with  persons 
who  profess  to  have  no  faith  in  the  efficacy  of  gree-grees 
— merely  keeping  them  about  the  house  to  frighten  off 
rogues. 

"  Just  before  the  hour  for  service,  a  large  delegation 
from  a  tribe  in  the  interior  arrived.  When  the  con- 
gregation assembled,  a  number — probably  thirty-five — 
of  these  wild  beings  came  to  our  place  of  meeting,  in 
front  of  the  Bodia's  house ;  but  on  seeing  a  white  face, 
they  retired  in  alarm.  "With  some  difficulty,  the  town 
people  persuaded  them  to  return,  and  hear  what  the 
Kitbi,  or  white  man,  had  to  say.  They  listened  with 
eager  curiosity  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  and 
some  of  them  heard,  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives,  of 
the  Saviour  who  died  to  redeem  them. 

"  When  asked,  after  the  sermon,  what  they  thought 
of  the  Word,  one  replied  that  they  likecl  it  and  wished 
to  have  it  preached  over  again,  evidently  not  that  they 
believed  it,  but  because  its  novelty  pleased  them. 

"  They  were,  without  exception,  the  oddest,  most 
grotesque-looking  specimens  of  humanity  we  have 
ever  seen.  Low  in  stature,  lean  in  flesh,  and  shrivelled 
in  skin,  with  stupid  countenances,  they  formed  a  strik- 
ing contrast,  both  in  physical  and  intellectual  develop- 
ment, to  the  natives  of  the  Cape  Palmas  towns,  who 
are,  for  the  most  part,  strong,  athletic,  and  ereet  in 
form,  with  features  indicative  of  decided  sprightliness  of 
mind. 

"  The  question  naturally  arises,  What  makes  the  dif- 
ference between  these  tribes  ?  And  the  answer  is  one  full 
of  encouragement  to  all  friends  of  the  race,  namely, 


148  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

contact  with,  enlightened  and  Christian  people.  A 
large  proportion  of  the  coast  people  serve  as  kroomen, 
or  sailors,  in  the  vessels  of  various  enlightened  nations, 
and  have  brought  home  new  ideas,  which  serve  in 
some  degree  to  expand  their  minds. 

"  Even  where  they  have  failed  to  receive  the  truths 
of  the  Gospel,  their  superstitions  have  been  materially 
modified  by  the  influence  of  Christian  colonies;  for 
example,  the  Cape  Palmas  heathen,  in  the  congrega- 
tion alluded  to,  displayed  very  few  gree-grees,  while  the 
Bushmen  had  a  great  number  hung  about  their  bodies. 
The  latter  seemed  scarcely  able  to  believe  that  there 
could  be,  in  any  part  of  the  world,  a  people  who  had 
no  faith  in  gree-grees. 

"  The  Grebo  tribe  is  evidently  being  gradually  pre- 
pared for  the  full  reception  of  the  Gospel.  A  good 
proportion  of  them  are  already  intellectually  acquaint- 
ed with  its  saving  truths,  and  all  that  they  now  need 
to  enable  them  to  come  out  decidedly  on  the  Lord's 
side,  is  an  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit :  for  this  let 
all  the  people  of  God  earnestly  pray. 

"Feb.  13th. — As  Mrs.  S.  and  myself  were  walking 
out  this  afternoon,  we  witnessed  a  most  pitiable  sight. 
A  woman  had  run  away  from  her  husband  at  Rock- 
town,  and  his  friends  were  dragging  her  back  by  main 
force,  while  she  was  resisting  with  all  her  strength. 
Just  as  we  came  up,  they  plunged  her  head  foremost 
into  a  stream  of  water  again  and  again,  but  finding 
that  she  still  continued  to  resist,  they  beat  her  most 
cruelly,  and  dragged  her  along  like  a  log  through  the 
sand.  The  last  we  saw  of  her,  she  was  looking  back 
imploringly  for  help,  while  her  cries  were  borne  to  us 
on  the  evening  air. 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  149 

"Feb.  2-itJi. — After  service  in  town,  I  had  a  long  dis- 
cussion with  a  demon-doctor  from  the  interior,  lie 
contended  more  earnestly  than  any  one  I  have  met,  for 
the  truth  of  his  system ;  and  assured  me  I  would  be 
regarded  as  a  fool  by  his  people  for  opposing  the  Gos- 
pel to  gree-grees.  He  said  he  could  foretell  future 
events,  and  told  me  of  a  number  of  things,  about  which 
he  had  prophesied  correctly.  Upon  my  asking  him, 
by  way  of  trial,  what  would  become  of  me,  he  replied 
that  he  could  tell  me  but  for  the  book  I  had  with  me 
— thus  pretending  to  regard  the  Christian's  Bible  as  a 
gree-gree. 

"  It  is  most  sad  to  think  what  a  fearful  influence 
these  demon-men  have  over  the  poor  heathen  of 
Africa." 

From  the  journal  of  the  Rev.  Eobert  Smith  we  se- 
lect the  following  interesting  extracts : 

"Jan.  24^A. — Visited  Dodo-lu  and  Ordnh-Idiade  this 
afternoon,  with  Rev.  C.  F.  Jones  as  interpreter.  Found 
numbers  of  the  women  beating  rice,  and  as  it  seemed 
expedient,  urged  upon  them  the  necessity  of  fleeing 
from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  turning  to  God  with  their 
whole  heart.  They  seem  to  be  destitute  of  every  true 
emotion — as  hard-hearted  and  lifeless  as  the  rocky  pro- 
montory on  which  their  towns  are  built.  They  yield 
an  unquestioning  assent  to  every  thing  I  say,  and  yet 
I  know  that  they  do  not  feel  the  force  of  one  blessed 
truth  which  they  hear.  They  seem  to  be  almost  totally 
devoid  of  truthfulness,  and,  indeed,  of  every  ennobling 
principle.  But  surely  this  is  their  strongest  plea  to 
the  servants  of  Christ  to  remain  among  them,  and  by 
all  means  endeavor  to  elevate  them  from  their  low  estate. 


150  DAY   DAWN    IN   AFRICA. 

"Jan.  27th. — A  man  came  to  me  soon  after  break 
fast,  and  three  others  from  Dodo-lu  about  noon,  to  be 
instructed  in  reading.  I  like  their  bearing,  and  the 
interest  they  manifest  in  their  simple  lessons  betokens 
something  good  in  store  for  them. 

"  In  the  afternoon  I  passed  through  the  towns,  as 
usual,  announcing  that  the  morrow  was  Sunday,  and 
that  they  must  come  and  hear  me  preach.  The  uni- 
form answer  was,  '  Yes,'  and  a  promise  to  comply  with 
my  request ;  but  not  more  than  a  dozen  ever  fulfill 
their  engagements.  The  others  '  go  to  bush,'  to  work 
on  their  farms,  or  spend  the  day  in  fishing — some  few 
in  idleness. 

"  One  of  the  head  men  of  Oranh-Idiade  received  me 
very  coolly,  and,  at  the  same  time,  said  he  would  not 
allow  us  to  come  to  his  town  to  preach,  because  we  did 
not  pay  him  for  the  use  of  his  house  and  yard.  This 
was  false:  but  he  thought,  as  I  was  a  'new  man/  I 
would  not  know  that  he  receives  an  allowance  for  the 
use  of  his  house  and  yard,  and  would  agree  to  pay  him 
extra.  I  simply  replied  that  we  did  pay  him ;  we 
gave  him  and  his  people  the  most  precious  things  in 
the  world  ;  we  told  them  how  they  might  obtain  riches 
that  endure  forever.  This  did  not  satisfy  him,  and 
he  arose  and  went  away,  muttering  that,  if  he  said  so, 
not  one  person  would  come  to  hear  me. 

"  With  one  man  of  sprightly  mien,  I  had  a  long  dis- 
cussion about  the  duty  of  renouncing  gree-grees  for 
the  service  of  God.  He  contended  quite  earnestly  that, 
as  their  grandfathers  and  fathers  had  used  gree-grees, 
and  commanded  them  to  do  the  same,  and  as  it  was 
country  custom,  they  are  justified  in  holding  on  to 


DAY   DAWN   IN    AFRICA.  151 

them.     At  any  rate,  it  was  hard,  under  these  circum- 
stances, to  change  their  religion. 

"I  replied  that  they  could  do  so  if  they  chose  ;  but 
that  they  had  long  heard  the  VYord  of  God,  which  for- 
bids all  dependence  on  such  vile  objects,  and  if  they 
still  refused  to  obey  it,  and  to  cast  away  their  gree- 
grees,  and  turn  to  God,  He  would  leave  them  to  perish 
in  their  sins.  As  to  its  being  hard  to  change  their 
religfcn,  if  they  would  all  agree  to  do  so,  it  would  not 
be  hard.  And  what  did  it  matter,  that  their  forefathers 
trusted  in  gree-grees,  and  that  it  had  become  country 
fashion  to  do  so  ?  Suppose  it  were  country  fashion  to 
cut  people's  heads  off,  would  he  then  follow  the 
fashion  ? 

"  He  replied,  that,  if  it  were  country  custom  to  cut 
off  people's  heads,  and,  if  their  fathers  had  told  them 
to  do  so,  he  would  cut  off  every  man's  head  in  town. 

"  '  Very  well,'  said  I,  '  here  is  one  way,  (drawing  a 
straight  line  in  the  sand  with  my  cane,)  and  here  is 
another,  (making  a  very  crooked  one.)  Now,  that  is 
God's  way,  and  it  is  a  good  way.  But,  if  you  follow 
it,  you  must  cast  away  all  your  gree-grees,  and  turn  to 
( rod  with  all  your  heart,  and  serve  Him.' 

"  He  replied  that,  if  he  did  so,  countryman  would 
laugh  at  him.  That  they  laugh  at  the  Christians  about 
Cavalla,  and  say  that  they  have  left  country  fashion, 
because  they  do  not  like  to  work ;  and  have  but  one 
wife,  because  they  are  too  lazy  to  support  more. 

"  I  told  him  it  was  not  true  that  the  Christians  at 
Cavalla  are  lazy  ;  for  they  do  a  great  deal  more  work 
than  other  people.  And  what  if  country  people  did 
lausrh  ?     Let   them   laugh:    it   could   not   hurt   him. 


152  DAY   DAWN   IX   AFKICA. 

Some  people  in  my  country  laughed  at  me  for  wanting 
to  come  so  far  to  preacli  the  Gospel  to  his  people.  But 
when  I  knew  it  was  right  for  me  to  come,  I  did  not 
mind  what  they  said  or  did.  And  so  it  should  be 
with  him.  He  ought  to  obey  God,  and  let  countryman 
laugh  as  much  as  he  pleased.  Such  was  the  tenor  of 
our  conversation  ;  and  it  ended  by  his  saying  that  he 
loved  this  way,  and  had  put  his  son  in  our  school. 
That  his  son  is  in  school  is  true  ;  but  that  he  put  him 
there  from  the  motive  he  professed  is  questionable. 

"/Sunday,  Jan.  28th, — No  trouble  to-day  from  the 
head  man  of  Oranh-Idiade,  as  I  feared  yesterday. 
Congregation  larger  than  usual.  One  man  said  I  did 
not  come  to  them  from  my  own  country  because  I 
loved  them,  but  to  make  money.  To  this  they  all 
seemed  to  agree.  They  also  intimated  that  I  ought  to 
pay  them  for  coming  to  hear  me. 

"An  old  man  in  Dodo-lu  made  great  professions  of 
his  own  and  his  people's  rejection  of  gree-grees  and 
attachment  to  the  Gospel.  I  knew  there  was  not  a 
word  of  truth  in  what  he  said ;  but  simply  requested 
him  to  give  me  some  evidence  of  his  sincerity.  He 
said  they  prayed  to  God  every  evening  and  morning. 
I  replied  that  they  could  not  have  love  for  God,  as 
they  would  not  acknowledge  themselves  to  be  great 
sinners ;  and  that  no  man  can  love  God,  until  he  has 
felt  that  he  is  a  lost  sinner,  and  has  found  pardon 
through  Jesus  Christ.  Another  old  man  said  I  was  a 
'  new  man,'  and  did  not  understand  what  they  were. 
I  replied,  that  I  was  indeed  a  new  man  amongst  them, 
but,  that  I  had  seen  a  great  many  people,  and  found 
they  all  had  bad  hearts  ;  and  I  was  sure  those  of  his 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFEICA.  153 

people  were  like  all  others.  They  all  rejected  the 
counsel  of  God  against  themselves ;  and  if  I  succeed 
in  bringing  any  of  them  from  the  depths  to  which  they 
are  sunk,  it  will  assuredly  be  by  the  effectual  operation 
of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"Jan.  SOth. — Met  a  novitiate  devil-doctor,  with  whom 
I  had  an  animated  discussion.  He  said  he  had  been 
to  sea  as  a  krooman ;  had  returned  home  in  bad  health ; 
and,  after  suffering  for  three  years,  was  told  by  a  doc- 
tor that  he  could  get  well  only  by  himself  turning 
doctor.  At  first  he  was  unwilling  to  do  this ;  but 
finally  the  devil  took  him  up  and  shook  him,  and  told 
his  heart  that  he  must  become  a  doctor.  He  seemed 
thoroughly  persuaded  that  the  devil  had  called  him  to 
this  office,  and  was  therefore  not  prepared  for  my 
mode  of  attack. 

"'Well,'  said  I,  'you  say  the  devil  told  you  to 
become  doctor  ?'     '  Yes.' 

"  'And  you  are  obeying  the  devil  ?'     '  Yes.' 
"  '  Then  you  arc  the  devil's  man.     You  are  a  very 
bad  man ;  and  you  will  do  the  people  a  great  deal  of 
harm.' 

"  '  No.     Me  no  be  devil's  man.     Me  no  be  wicked.' 
"  '  Yes  you  are  ;  and  if  I  were  your  people,  I  would 
put  you  in  jail ;  for  you  will  do  much  evil,  if  you  go 
abroad.' 

"  '  Put  me  in  jail !  Me  no  be  bad  man.' 
"  '  Indeed  you  are  ;  for  the  devil,  you  know,  is  very 
wicked,  and  you  are  learning  to  be  a  devil-man.  The 
missionaries  have  come  far  over  the  ocean,  to  teach 
your  people  to  cast  away  their  gree-grees,  and  become 
the  people  of  God,  and  no  longer  serve  the  deyj3  ;  and 


154  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

all  the  while,  you,  and  the  other  demon-doctors,  are 
trying  to  keep  them  from  hearing  us,  and  to  induce 
them  to  go  on  following  country  fashion  till  they  are 
lost  forever.  Oh  !  stop !  Don't  go  any  farther.  Throw 
away  those  gree-grees,  and  that  grass,  (a  peculiar  sort  of 
garment  which  novitiates  wear  around  their  loins,)  and 
turn  to  God.  He  will  take  care  of  you,  and  you  will 
then  be  happy,  and  at  last  you  will  go  to  live  with  Grod 
in  heaven.' 

"  With  this  exhortation  we  parted." 


"  They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy." — Psa.  126  :  5. 

The  high  school  at  Mount  Vaughan,  during  this 
year,  sent  forth  two  teachers  for  the  heathen ;  Thomas 
Thompson  went  to  assist  at  Rocktown,  and  Edward 
Simpson  took  charge  of  a  new  station,  which  was 
opened  at  Half  Grahway,  on  Sheppard's  Lake,  five 
miles  below  Cape  PaJmas. 

This  important  institution,  now  in  charge  of  Rev. 
G.  W.  Gibson,  gives  promise  of  being  one  of  the  most 
efficient  instruments  for  raising  up  laborers,  for  Africa's 
regeneration,  from  among  her  own  sons.  As  yet,  but 
a  limited  number  of  pupils  has  been  received,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  small  amount  of  money  contributed 
for  its  support.  We  trust,  however,  that  the  amount 
will  be  greatly  increased.  We  know  not  how  a  hun- 
dred dollars  could  be  annually  expended  to  greater 
advantage  than  by  the  support  of  a  scholarship  in  this 
school.  Youths,  at  a  suitable  age,  are  taken  from  the 
colony,  and  boarded,  clothed,  and  educated  here,  with 
the  design  of  sending  them  forth  as  teachei:s  and  mis- 
sionaries to  the  heathen.  In  addition  to  the  regular 
boarders,  a  large  number  of  day  scholars  receive  here 
the  advantages  of  education  and  religious  training. 
During  this  year,  God  so  blessed  the  labors  of  His  ser- 
vants, that  all  the  boarders  in  this  institution,  with  one 


156  DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA. 

single  exception,  became  professing  Christians;  and  so 
striking  was  the  change  in  their  lives,  and  so  powerful 
their  influence  for  good,  that  pupils  in  other  schools 
were  incited  by  their  example  to  seek  the  Saviour  of 
their  souls. 

The  Mount  Vaughan  buildings  are  beautifully  locat- 
ed on  a  high  hill,  three  miles  back  of  Cape  Palmas, 
commanding  an  extensive  sea  and  land  view.  This 
mount  was  the  first  home  of  our  missionaries  in  "West- 
ern Africa.  When  Dr.  T.  S.  Savage  (the  first  mission- 
ary sent  to  Africa  by  the  Foreign  Missionary  Board  of 
the  P.  E.  Church  in  the  United  States)  arrived,  on  the 
25th  of  December,  1836,  he  found  here  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thomson,  actively  and  profitably  engaged  in  teach- 
ing a  school.  During  the  preceding  year,  (1835,)  the 
Managers  of  the  American  Colonization  Society  had 
donated  to  the  Foreign  Missionary  Board  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church,  a  lot  of  ground  within  the  territory  of 
Liberia,  and  Mr.  Thomson  was  instructed  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Board  to  select  such  a  spot  as  he  should 
deem  suitable  for  the  establishment  of  a  mission-school. 
After  consulting  with  Dr.  James  Hall,  then  Governor 
of  Liberia,  and  others,  Mr.  Thomson  decided  to  locate 
the  school  at  what  is  now  called  Mount  Vaughan. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  our  missionary  work  at 
Cape  Palmas.  Few  missionaries,  white  or  colored, 
have  labored  more  faithfully  in  the  cause  than  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thomson.  He  has  long  since  passed  away  to  his 
reward,  but  she  still  remains,  a  ble  sing  to  the  Mission. 

In  July  of  the  following  year,  1837,  Eev.  John 
Payne  (our  present  Bishop)  and  Mrs.  Payne  arrived, 
to  cheer  the  heart  of  the  lonely  pioneer ;  and  from  that 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFEICA.  157 

time  to  the  present  our  Church  in  "Western  Africa  has 
never  been  without  a  representative.  When  God,  in 
J I  is  wise  providence,  has  seen  fit  to  call  home  His  work- 
men, a  few  other  missionaries  have  always  been  found 
ready  to  supply  their  places;  and  so,  we  have  faith  to 
believe,  it  will  ever  be,  until  that  blessed  period  shall 
arrive  when  there  will  be  no  more  need  to  say  to  the 
sons  of  Africa,  "  Know  ye  the  Lord." 

If  Mount  Vaughan  has  become  endeared  to  us  as 
the  first  home  of  our  Mission,  as  the  resting-place  of 
those  who  were  the  first  to  die  in  its  cause  it  has 
become  a  hallowed  spot.  In  its  quiet  and  beautiful 
graveyard  rest,  in  hope,  the  bodies  of  some  of  our  most 
valued  missionaries,  and  some  of  the  little  children 
born  in  the  Mission.  When,  at  the  bidding  of  the 
great  Judge,  the  dead  shall  arise,  to  meet  their  Lord, 
from  that  secluded  spot  shall  come  forth  some  as  noble 
and  self-sacrificing  spirits,  as  ever  devoted  themselves 
to  the  field  of  foreign  missions. 

The  road  between  Mount  Vaughan  and  Cape  Pal- 
mas  runs  through  a  forest  of  stately  palms,  and  other 
trees  of  a  heavier  growth,  among  which  a  species  of 
the  mahogany  predominates.  At  all  seasons,  these 
trees  are  festooned  with  clustering  vines,  and  many- 
colored  flowers  and  parasites.  On  the  grounds  of  the 
High  School,  which  embrace  about  twenty  acres,  is  a 
flourishing  coffee-farm,  cultivated  by  the  boys ;  and  on 
either  side  of  the  road,  extending  to  the  Cape — consid- 
ered the  best  in  all  Liberia — are  situated  the  little 
farms  which  constitute  the  homes  of  many  of  the 
Maryland  colonists. 

Early  in  this  year,  Mr.  James  Dorsen,  a  colonist, 


158  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFKICA. 

who  was  among  the  number  confirmed  at  St.  Mark's, 
the  preceding  Christmas,  reopened  the  mission-station 
at  JRockbookah,  three  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the 
Cavalla  river,  which  had  been  left  vacant  from  scarcity 
of  laborers.  Though  the  want  of  funds  has  not  yet 
justified  the  opening  of  a  boarding-school,  Mr.  Dorsen 
has  done  what  he  could,  by  teaching  a  day-school, 
during  the  week,  for  native  children,  and  instructing 
their  heathen  parents,  in  the  towns  on  the  Sabbath. 

Though,  from  necessity,  but  very  poorly  requited 
for  his  services,  Mr.  D.  prefers  to  remain  there  alone, 
and  labor  for  Christ,  rather  than  to  seek  a  temporal 
employment  which  would  be  much  more  lucrative. 
May  God  sustain  him  in  his  labor  of  love  ! 

Thus,  from  time  to  time,  we  are  encouraged  by  see- 
ing some  of  Africa's  own  sons  cheerfully  stepping  into 
the  posts  left  vacant  by  the  removal  of  their  white 
brethren,  and  willingly  bearing  the  privations  which 
ever  attend  the  true  missionaries  of  the  Cross. 

Under  date  of  May  11th,  Mr.  Scott  writes  : 

"Had  a  long  discussion  with  the  head  men  of  the 
Cape  Palmas  towns  on  the  subject  of  gree-grees  ;  which 
resulted  in  a  promise  on  their  part,  to  call  the  people, 
when  they  shall  have  returned  from  their  farms,  and 
have  a  general  discussion  on  the  expediency  of  aban- 
doning the  whole  system. 

"  14ith. — Went  through  the  native  towns  this  after- 
noon. As  I  entered  the  house  of  one  of  the  head  men, 
I  found  him  with  a  picture  of  the  crucifixion  before 
nim,  trying  to  give  eight  or  ten  bushmen  an  account 
of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ.  I  took  up 
the  subject  where  he  left  off,  and  preached  to  them, 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  159 

'  Jesus  and  the  resurrection.'  It  was  probably  the  first 
time  that  some  of  them  had  heard  the  way  of  salvation. 
Would  that  the  glad  tidings  could  at  once  be  carried 
to  the  many  tribes  still  ignorant  of  Christ ! 

"  In  one  of  these  tours  I  encountered  a  well-educated 
native,  once  connected  with  Mr.  Wilson's  school.  He 
keeps  a  Bible  in  his  house,  but  rarely  looks  in  it,  be- 
cause it  always  excites  his  fears ;  for  the  same  reason, 
I  learn  that  he  rarely  ever  listens  to  the  preaching  of 
the  Gospel. 

"  May  23d — AYent  to  Cavalla  to  see  Rev.  Robert 
Smith  to-day,  and  was  gratified  to  find  him  well 
enough  to  ride  out  in  a  hammock,  and  be  with  the 
family  at  the  dinner-table.  At  5  o'clock,  in  the  after- 
noon, I  took  leave  of  him,  for  Cape  Palmas,  to  all 
appearances  decidedly  better  than  he  had  been  for 
several  days. 

"  May  24dh. — Heard  this  morning  from  the  Bishop, 
that  Brother  Smith  was  taken  with  a  severe  oppression 
on  his  lungs  about  midnight.  I  hastened  down,  but 
when  within  a  short  distance  of  Cavalla,  met  a  messen- 
ger announcing  his  death.  Truly,  'in  the  midst  of 
life  we  are  in  death.'  Little  did  I  think,  as  we  sat 
pleasantly  conversing  on  last  evening,  that  we  would 
never  meet  again  on  earth. 

"It  was  my  privilege  to  be  intimately  acquainted 
with  our  departed  brother  for  more  than  three  years ; 
and  I  can  truly  say,  that,  besides  being  one  of  the  most 
faithful  of  friends,  his  devotion  to  his  Master's  cause  I 
have  never  seen  surpassed.  The  absorbing  desire  of 
his  heart  was  to  live  near  to  Jesus,  and  do  all  in  his 
power  to  advance  His  kingdom  in  this  world.     With 


160  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

the  exception  of  his  feeble  and  deeply-diseased  physical 
constitution,  few  men  ever  went  forth  better  prepared 
to  labor  among  the  heathen. 

"Though  apparently  just  fairly  begun,  his  work  is 
ended — his  brief  pilgrimage  on  earth  has  peacefully 
closed — he  now  rests  from  his  labors,  and  his  works  do 
folloiv  him. 

"  May  25th. — Delivered  his  funeral  discourse  in  the 
school-room,  (the  church  not  being  completed,)  and  was 
followed  by  some  remarks  from  the  Bishop.  A  large 
procession  then  moved  with  the  body  to  the  sweet 
graveyard  in  the  mission-garden,  where  the  burial  ser- 
vice was  read  by  the  Bishop,  and  the  remains  of  our 
beloved  brother  consigned  to  their  last  earthly  resting- 
place." 

This  event  had  cast  a  deep  gloom  over  the  Mission 
in  Africa,  and  the  Church  at  home.  So  much  had 
been  expected  from  the  well-known  zeal,  fervent  piety, 
and  practical  ability  of  this  young  missionary,  that  his 
sudden  death  had,  at  first,  a  dejjressing  effect  upon  the 
remaining  missionaries,  and  their  native  assistants ;  but 
soon  a  reaction  took  place  among  the  latter.  They 
began  to  awake,  and  ask  themselves  if  God  did  not 
mean  to  teach  them  a  lesson  by  thus  removing  one 
after  another  of  the  foreign  missionaries — if  He  did  not 
intend  them  to  take  a  more  active  part  in  the  regenera- 
tion of  their  native  land  ?  And  how  blessed  has  been 
their  answer  to  those  questions,  the  subsequent  pages 
of  this  volume  will  show.  And  we,  who  mourned  so 
truly  the  unexpected  departure  of  our  beloved  friend 
and  brother,  were  comforted  by  the  assurance  that  God 


DAY   DAWN1   IX   AFItlCA.  1G1 

had  served  Himself  in  his  death,  as  in  his  life;  and 
that  "  he,  being  dead,  yet  speaketh." 

"  Mr.  Smith  was  a  native  of  Tennessee ;  from  which 
State  he  removed  in  early  youth  to  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky. In  this  place,  during  the  summer  of  1843, 
under  the  ministry  of  Kev.  William  Jackson,  he  be- 
came a  professing  Christian.  After  spending  some 
time  in  preparatory  study,  he  entered  Yale  College, 
where  he  graduated  in  1850. 

"  From  the  time  he  made  a  profession  of  religion, 
he  showed  by  his  life  and  conversation  that  '  he  had 
been  with  Jesus,  and  learned  of  Him.'  A  few  months 
after  his  conversion  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  preach 
the  Gospel ;  and,  when  his  college  course  was  com- 
pleted, he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Vir- 
ginia. At  this  institution  it  was  the  privilege  of  the 
writer  to  be  intimately  associated  with  him  for  nearly 
two  years.  During  this  time  he  was  '  instant  in  season 
and  out  of  season.'  The  smallest  child,  the  meanest 
beggar,  who  crossed  his  path,  received  from  him  a 
warning  word.  He  ever  labored  as  one  who  felt  that 
he  ha<  I  a  great  work  to  do,  and  a  solemn  account  to 
render.  Whilst  he  was  a  most  diligent  student,  he 
was  also  regularly  engaged  in  enterprises  for  the  tern 
poral  and  spiritual  good  of  his  fellow-beings.  In  the 
destitute  portions  of  the  country,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Seminary,  he  might  be  seen,  week  after  week,  reading 
the  word  of  God,  and  praying  in  the  houses  of  the 
people ;  and  on  Sunday  collecting  the  old  and  young 
together,  and  instructing  them  in  the  way  of  salvation; 

"Soon  after  he  entered  the  Seminary,  the  subject  of 
foreign  missions  was  brought  before  him,  and  after 


162  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

much  prayerful  consideration,  he  decided  to  devote  his 
life  to  the  heathen  of  Africa.  From  the  day  he  re- 
solved to  become  a  missionary,  he  labored  unceasingly 
to  promote  the  missionary  spirit  among  his  fellow  - 
students,  and  in  the  Church  generally.  He  continually 
urged  his  brethren  to  examine  themselves  and  see 
whether  they  were  not  called  to  this  great  work ;  and 
none,  who  were  accustomed  to  attend  the  weekly  mis- 
sionary prayer-meeting,  can  fail  to  remember  his 
solemn  appeals  in  behalf  of  the  millions  who  are 
perishing  without  any  knowledge  of  a  Saviour. 

"In  the  month  of  January  he  arrived  at  Cavalla,  in 
a  happy  frame  of  mind,  and  with  ardent  hopes  of 
future  usefulness.  For  more  than  two  months,  feeling 
unusually  well,  he  was  enabled  to  labor  uninterruptedly 
in  the  blessed  work  to  which  he  had  been  called.  In 
public  and  private — at  their  houses,  and  by  the  way- 
side— he  pointed  the  poor  heathen  to  the  'Lamb  of 
God,  who  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world.' 

"  On  the  16th  of  April  he  was  taken  with  acclimat- 
ing fever,  while  on  a  visit  to  Cape  Palmas;  it  was 
light,  and  soon  yielded  to  medicine ;  but  his  greatest 
suffering  was  from  dj^spepsia,  which  had  annoyed  him 
nearly  twelve  years.  A  cough,  with  which  he  had 
been  troubled  in  America,  now  returned,  with  other 
decided  symptoms  of  consumption.  After  he  returned 
to  Cavalla,  though  his  cough  was  very  painful,  his 
general  health  seemed  to  improve ;  so  much  so,  that  on 
the  day  before  he  died,  he  was  strong  enough  to  ride 
a  mile,  in  a  hammock,  and  to  join  the  family  at  the 
dinner-table. 

"Little  did  we  think,  as  we  sat  cheerfully  conversing 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  1G3 

on  the  evening  of  the  23d,  that  he  was  passing  his  last 
day  on  earth.  Truly,  '  in  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in 
death.'  About  twelve  o'clock  that  night,  he  was  seized 
with  a  violent  oppression  on  his  lungs,  from  which  he 
could  find  no  relief,  in  any  posture,  until  half-past  one 
o'clock  P.M.,  when  his  spirit  was  released  from  his 
suffering  body.  Being  in  an  agony  of  pain,  his  dying 
testimony  was  necessarily  brief;  but  it  was  not  needed. 
For  nearly  twelve  years  he  had  constantly  fought 
against  the  '  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,'  and  in  this 
trying  hour  we  needed  not  the  assurance  he  gave,  that 
he  was  sustained  by  the  blessed  Saviour. 

"During  his  illness  he  was  generally  in  a  joyful 
frame  of  mind.  He  often  said  that  he  considered  sick- 
ness a  great  blessing;  and  that  he  would  willingly 
endure  his  illness  six  times  over  for  the  sake  of  the 
spiritual  comfort  that  attended  it. 

"It  seems  to  short-sighted  mortals  a  mystery  that 
one  so  well-fitted  for  usefulness  in  the  missionary  field, 
where  laborers  are  so  few,  should  be  summoned  away 
in  the  beginning  of  his  career.  His  race  was  indeed 
short;  but, 

'That  life  is  long  which  answers  life's  great  end.' 

Though  Mr.  Smith  had  just  entered  upon  his  thirty- 
first  year,  we  feel  assured  that  he  has  accomplished  a 
great  work.  While,  therefore,  we  mourn  over  the 
early  departure  of  this  loving  brother  and  faithful 
friend,  we  mourn  for  ourselves  not  for  him.  In  the 
great  day  of  accounts,  we  doubt  not,  it  will  be  seen  that 
'  He  has  not  run  in  vain ;  neither  labored  in  vain.'  " 
Attended  by  the  heathen,  mission-scholars  and  friends, 


164  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

his  body  was  laid  to  rest,  beneath  flowering  trees,  in 
the  Cavalla  graveyard,  beside  the  grave  of  Dr.  Steele, 
with  whom  he  had  been  associated  in  Sabbath-school, 
in  Washington  City. 

In  July,  1855,  Eev.  C.  C.  Hoffman,  accompanied  by 
his  wife,  child,  and  Miss  Williford,  returned  from  the 
United  States.  The  following  letter  from  Mr.  H.  an- 
nounces his  arrival  at  Cavalla,  and  contains  some  inter- 
esting statements  of  its  condition  at  that  time : 

"  Cavalla,  July  4,  1855. — We  arrived  here,  in  health 
and  safety,  yesterday.  I  find  things  much  improved 
here  since  my  absence.  Though  our  force  has  been 
weakened  by  the  loss  of  beloved  fellow-laborers,  God 
is  certainly  causing  His  work  to  prosper  abundantly  in 
the  hands  of  His  servants.  I  was  astonished  at  the 
unusual  interest  manifested  by  the  natives  at  Cape 
Palm  as ;  upwards  of  two  hundred  weekly  assemble  at 
the  new  chapel  on  the  Lord's  day,,  and  a  night-school  of 
from  forty  to  seventy -five  is  attended  by  most  success- 
ful laborers. 

"Mr.  Scott  says  he  never,  in  anyplace,  saw  more 
anxiety  for  instruction  than  is  manifested  by  the  adult 
population  of  Cape  Palmas.  Here,  at  Cavalla,  too,  the 
Bishop  is  cheered  in  his  work;  the  Spirit  seems  to 
have  been  poured  out  from  on  high,  and  while  wan- 
derers are  reclaimed,  and  the  weak  strengthened,  God 
is  adding  to  His  Church  those  who  shall  be  saved. 

"  Eocktown  and  Fishtown  are  now  vacant.  At  the 
former  place  I  am  to  reside.  In  a  fortnight  I  expect 
to  leave  my  pleasant  home  and  duties  at  this  station, 
and  take  charge  of  the  two  stations  the  other  side  of 
Cape  Palmas.     This  is  unexpected,  but  the  path  of 


DAY"    DAWN    IN    AFRICA.  165 

duty  seems  very  plain,  and  I  rejoice  to  walk  in  it.  I 
hope  you  will  be  able  to  send  us  at  least  a  female  as- 
sistant, should  no  brother  come  to  join  us.  There  is 
work  enough  to  crush  a  single  laborer.  The  house, 
whence  I  write,  has  been  the  house  of  mourning  during 
my  absence.  From  my  bed-room,  the  spirit  of  our 
young  brother,  Dr.  Steele,  took  its  happy  flight  to 
heaven ;  from  my  study  departed,  with  blessed  hope, 
peacefully,  the  soul  of  my  friend  and  brother,  Eobert 
Smith.  "We  yet  survive,  but  how  long — who  can  tell  ? 
May  it  be  our  blessed  portion,  like  them,  with  joy  to 
finish  our  course,  and  enter  into  rest.  The  work  is 
worthy  the  life.  May  God  raise  up  others  to  supply 
the  place  of  the  fallen." 

By  the  following  letter  from  Mrs.  Hoffman,  we  find 
that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hoffman  and  family  took  possession, 
soon  after  their  return,  of  the  vacant  station  at  Rock- 
town  : 

11  Hocktoicn,  August  Bd,  1855. — Here  we  are  living  in 
dear  Mrs.  Hening's  old  home,  occupying  her  accus- 
tomed place.  My  seat,  while  writing,  is  the  one  she 
had,  and  my  eye  rests  on  the  same  beautiful  scene. 
We  spent  but  one  night  on  land,  when,  in  conversation 
with  our  Bishop,  it  was  decided  that  we  were  to  come 
here.  Mr.  Wright  had  returned  home,  and  this  station 
was  vacant. 

"  We  remained  but  a  fortnight  at  Cavalla,  enjoying 
the  society  of  our  loved  friends  there,  and  also  enjoy- 
ing the  good  work  which  is  advancing.  Almost  daily 
does  the  Bishop  hear  the  question :  '  Payne,  how  can 
we  do  God's  will  ?'  The  Church  has  doubled  its  num- 
bers, and  calls  now  its  members  from  the  old  heathen. 


166  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

The  number  asking  for  baptism,  whom  the  Bishop 
bids  wait,  is  larger  than  those  received.  Our  visits  to 
the  towns  are  seasons  of  grateful  joy,  for  we  meet  will- 
ing and  anxious  listeners. 

"  The  change  to  us,  remembering  what  they  were 
when  we  left,  is  wonderful ;  nothing  less  than  the  mov- 
ing of  the  Spirit  of  God  over  the  darkness  could  have 
wrought  this.  Thus  it  is,  while  God  has  apparently 
weakened  our  strength  by  removing  one  and  another, 
He  manifests  His  own  power  without  our  being  apparent 
instruments.  To  the  Bishop,  who  has  lived  years  of 
patient  waiting,  you  can  imagine  how  refreshing  this 
season  is. 

'  But  that  duty  was  plain,  it  would  have  been  with 
regret  that  we  left  the  atmosphere  of  Cavalla.  Here 
Ave  have  met  a  much  kinder  reception  than  we  antici- 
pated. This  people  have  usually  been  very  trouble- 
some, but  God  seems  to  have  turned  their  hearts  to 
favor  us  ;  they  supply  us  readily  and  kindly  with  pro- 
visions, and  seem  very  willing  to  listen  to  our  words. 
"We  have  been  cheered  by  large  congregations  on  Sun- 
day, and  some~few  seem  seriously  to  weigh  what  they 
hear. 

"August  13th. — We  have  just  parted  from  the  Bishop 
and  Mrs.  Payne,  who  passed  four  days  with  us.  It 
was  our  Convocation  season  ;  and  a  most  blessed  one 
it  has  been.  On  Friday  evening,  the  11th,  the  mission- 
ary, meeting  was  held,  and  we  were  four  hours  en- 
gaged in  listening  to  the  missionaries  and  native 
teachers'  reports.  Yet  we  thought  not  of  weariness, 
for  they  told  us  of  such  a  blessed  work  of  grace,  that 
we  could  unite  with  the  Bishop  at  the  close,  when  he 


DAY   DAWN   IN"  AFRICA.  167 

said :   '  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in 
peace.' 

"  Wonderful  is  the  work  !  Old  men,  young  men, 
and  women,  throwing  away  their  gree-grees,  giving  up 
their  (many)  wives,  and  receiving  Christ.  The  work 
advances  with  little  special  effort  on  our  part,  save 
preaching  the  word.  Our  native  Christians  are  acting 
most  faithfully.  Since  Mr.  Smith's  death,  they  seem 
to  have  waked  from  sleep.  They  were  consistent,  but 
we  thought  zeal  was  wanting.  Now  they  set  us  an 
example.  A  more  full  account  will  be  sent  home  for 
the  Spirit  of  Missions.  I  know  you  will  enjoy  it,  and 
rejoice  with  us.  If  old  Mrs.  M.  is  spared  to  hear  this, 
she  too  will  glorify  God's  grace.  Her  son's  prayers 
and  her  own,  with  those  of  all  the  faithful,  have  not 
been  unheard.  Virginia  H.  Hoffman." 

Miss  Williford,  on  her  return,  resumed  the  charge  oi 
the  native  female  boarding-school  at  Cavalla,  which 
during  her  absence  had  been  faithfully  taught  by  Miss 
Ball,  assisted  by  Mrs.  Emma  Gillet,  a  native  teacher. 
A  large  and  commodious  building  had  taken  the  place 
of  the  low,  damp,  and  dilapidated  school-room,  so  long 
the  refuge  of  lizards,  spiders,  and  scorpions.  Its  walls 
are  adorned  with  a  set  of  fine  maps,  presented  by  a 
kind  lady  of  Savannah  ;  and  it  has  recently  been  fitted 
up  with  suitable  desks,  globes,  and  other  aids  to  study. 
In  this  school  were  educated  most  of  the  native  women 
of  the  Christian  village  at  Cavalla,  and  their  children 
are  now  receiving  in  it  the  same  advantages. 

It  will  be  interesting,  before  closing  this  chapter,  to 
add  the  following  review  by  the  Bishop,  of  the  work 
accomplished  in  the  heathen  towns,  up  to  this  time  : 


168  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

"  No  pen  can  trace,  because  no  human  observation 
can  discern,  the  actual  progress  of  that  '  kingdom  which 
cometh  not  with  observation.'  And  weak  is  that  faith, 
and  pitiable  the  benevolence  which  must  have  contin- 
ual '  signs  from  heaven,'  to  prompt  to  the  discharge  of 
evident,  abiding  duty.  But  those  who  pray  in  faith 
for  Christ's  promised  presence  with  His  Gospel,  natur- 
ally look  for  and  are  cheered  by  the  tokens  of  that 
presence. 

"  There  is  a  species  of  proof  of  the  presence  of  God 
which  even  most  professing  Christians  overlook,  but 
which  is  alike  '  precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,'  and 
of  His  saints.  When  the  tree,  stript  of  its  leaves  and 
branches  by  the  rude  winds,  is  seen  putting  them  forth 
again,  as  soon  as  the  tempest  is  passed,  we  know  that 
life  is  in  the  tree.  And  so,  when  one  laborer  after  an- 
other is  withdrawn  from  the  missionary  field,  or  sick- 
ens and  dies,  and  yet  the  course  of  the  Mission  is  ever 
onward,  we  see  and  know  that  the  life  of  Him  who 
ever  worketh,  is  in  it. 

"  Strange — oh !  how  strange,  that  multitudes,  and 
of  ministers  of  Christ,  too,  who  will  occupy  the  whole 
season  of  Lent,  and  other  seasons  too,  in  contemplating 
the  humiliation  and  sufferings  and  death  of  the  Master, 
and  would  fain  persuade  themselves  that  they  and  their 
people  have  fellowship  with  Him  in  His  sufferings,  when 
they  hear  of  sacrifice  of  health  and  life  for  Christ's 
sake,  for  the  salvation  of  the  millions  of  heathen  for 
whom  He  died,  shrink  back  with  horror,  or  ask,  it  is 
to  be  feared,  in  a  spirit  not  very  unlike  that  which 
first  prompted  the  question  — '  To  what  purpose  this 
■waste  V 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFKICA.  169 

"  But  although  these  are  the  most  precious  fruits  of 
missions,  those  which  will  abound  most  to  the  account 
of  missionaries  and  the  churches  with  which  they  are 
connected — as  being  the  most  unequivocal  manifesta- 
tions of  fellowship  with  Christ — ■'  the  filling  up  that 
which  is  behind  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ,'  it  is  to 
what  are  commonly  called  the  results  of  a  mission  that 
I  now  call  attention ;  and  blessed  be  God  for  the  evi- 
dence we  have  that  the  Gospel  brings  forth  fruit  here, 
as  it  has  in  all  the  world  where  it  has  been  faithfully 
proclaimed. 

"  Let  us  first  briefly  glance  at  the  results  of  our 
work  among  the  colonies. 

"  When  the  writer  first  assumed  the  pastoral  care  of 
the  colonist  congregation,  in  1847,  there  were  on  the 
list  but  nine  communicants.  From  that  time  until  the 
close  of  the  last  year,  there  had  died,  removed,  and 
been  suspended,  twenty.  Notwithstanding  this,  at  the 
beginning  of  the  present  year  there  were  over  fifty 
colonist  communicants  connected  with  our  Church. 
Only  within  the  last  two  years  the  operations  of  the 
Church  have  been  extended  to  Monrovia.  During 
this  time  about  fifty  communicants  have  been  gathered 
in  the  two  churches,  Trinity,  Monrovia,  and  Grace 
Church,  Clay  Ashland,  in  Messurado  county.  St. 
Mark's  Church,  at  Cape  Palmas,  has  long  since  been 
completed,  and  Trinity  Church,  at  Monrovia,  a  stone 
building  also,  fifty -five  feet  by  seventy-five,  is  in  course 
of  erection. 

"  The  Orphan  Asylum,  on  the  extremity  of  Cape 
Palmas,  is  at  once  an  ornament  and  a  blessing  to  the 
infant  colony;  as  is  also  the  High  School  at  Mount 
8 


170  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

Vaughan,  three  miles  distant.  Connected  with  these 
institutions,  are  twenty-seven  boarding  scholars,  while 
there  are  connected  with  them,  and  the  female  day- 
school  at  Mount  Vaughan,  one  hundred  day  scholars. 
In  the  Sunday-schools  the  number  is  somewhat  greater. 
At  Monrovia,  and  in  Messurado  county,  are  four  Epis- 
copal day  schools — one  of  a  high  grade,  under  the 
Eev.  Alex.  Crummell,  assisted  by  Mrs.  Williams ;  and 
the  former  has  also  two  young  men  under  his  care,  with 
a  view  to  the  ministry.  Two  members  of  the  Mount 
Vaughan  High  School  have  expressed  their  conviction 
of  duty,  and  an  earnest  desire  to  enter  the  ministry. 

"  The  operations  of  our  Mission,  however,  have 
aiways  been  chiefly  directed  to  the  natives ;  and  we 
will  now  review  the  progress  of  truth  among  them. 
The  means  employed  have  been  boarding-schools,  day 
and  night  schools,  visiting  from  house  to  house,  and 
public  preaching  of  the  Gospel. 

"  The  boarding-schools  have  been  hitherto  appar- 
ently most  productive  of  spiritual  results.  Scarcely 
fewer  than  fifteen  hundred  heathen  children  and  }^outh 
have  been  connected  with  these  schools,  during  the 
existence  of  the  Mission,  for  longer  and  shorter  pe- 
riods. 

"  From  these  ninety-one  have  been  baptized  and 
received  into  the  Church — of  whom  thirty-one  have 
died  or  been  suspended,  leaving  seventy-two  at  present 
on  the  communicants'  list.  And  these  communicants 
again  have  furnished  two  native  deacons  and  thirteen 
schoolmasters  employed  at  different  times,  besides  val- 
uable assistants  as  mechanics  and  secular  agents. 
Connected  with  the  night  schools,  at  different  times, 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  171 

and  for  various  periods,  there  have  been  several  hun- 
dreds of  natives  of  nearly  all  ages.  Many  are  taught 
to  read,  and  what  is  far  better,  have  received  a  know- 
ledge of  the  Gospel. 

"  Visiting  from  house  to  house  has  never  been 
remitted  by  the  missionaries,  male  and  female.  And 
recently,  at  Cavalla,  a  '  Visiting  Committee,'  composed 
entirely  of  native  females,  has  been  formed  to  visit 
native  women  at  their  houses,  to  induce  them  to  attend 
religious  services,  and  otherwise  influence  them  for 
good ;  nor  are  instances  wanting  to  show  that  efforts 
thus  made  have  been  effectual  in  leading  souls  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

"  But  it  is  preaching — preaching  in  towns  and  vil- 
lages, to  the  many  and  the  few — the  Gospel  of  salva- 
tion through  Jesus  Christ,  which,  blessed  be  God,  has 
ever  been  the  prominent  business  of  the  Mission.  And 
truly  here  the  kingdom  of  God  has  been  '  like  leaven.' 
It  has  worked  so  invisibly,  and  to  human  jDerception 
so  slowly,  that  many  superficial,  faithless  ones  have 
grown  tired,  and  because  they  could  not  see  the  pro- 
gress, which  God  alone  can  fully  see,  they  have  grown 
weary  in  well-doing,  or  ceased  altogether  to  do.  And 
yet  the  leaven  has  ever  worked. 

"  Its  first  effect  was  to  arouse  the  worst  elements  of 
heathenism  into  active  antagonism  and  conflict  with 
truth. 

"  The  next  was  to  produce  a  lull  of  this  strife — a 
decent  respect  to  the  representatives  of  Christianity, 
and  foi  the  truths  they  taught. 

"  Next  followed  a  general  assent  to  the  great  doc- 
trine of  one  God  over  all,  and  in  all,  and  consequent 


172  DAY   DAWN    IN   AFRICA. 

rejection  of  gree-grees,  of  idols,  and  demons.  Multi- 
tudes of  these  vanities  were  cast  away  under  this 
influence. 

"And,  lastly,  the  mists  of  superstition  and  rubbish 
being  thus  cleared  away,  the  rays  from  the  Sun  of 
Eighteousness  penetrate  the  mind  and  soul,  and  the 
heathen  '  behold  the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away 
the  sin  of  the  world.' 

"  The  first  rising  of  life  from  the  dead  mass  of  hea- 
thenism was  manifested  Sunday,  Dec.  11th,  1853,  when 
Hyano,  an  old  converted  demon-man,  and  Gida  Wudi, 
in  the  pride  of  youthful  life,  stood  up  in  the  presence 
of  a  full  assembly  of  their  people  to  receive  baptism. 

"  The  next  was  the  case  of  a  middle-aged  man  who, 
under  the  silent  dews  of  the  Spirit,  was  brought  to 
Christ. 

"After  this,  was  that  of  a  poor  diseased  woman. 
She  seldom  or  never  attended  public  service ;  but  a 
sister  of  charity  sought  and  led  her  to  the  Saviour.  In 
her  little  hut,  on  Sept.  19th,  she  received,  in  baptism, 
the  name  of  Mary  Louise,  after  the  angel  of  mercy  who 
had  saved  her. 

"In  about  one  month  more,  in  the  town  of  Nyaro, 
Hyano,  the  old  demon-man,  his  wife,  and  the  gray- 
headed  Yuiva,  were  gathered  into  the  true  fold ;  and 
now,  in  Hyano's  house,  morning  and  evening,  assem- 
bled the  little  church  of  five,  to  offer  prayer  and  praise 
to  the  God  of  all,  in  their  own  language,  wherein  they 
were  born.     Soon  a  few  others  assembled  with  them. 

"  In  the  beginning  of  the  year,  (1855,)  it  being  de- 
termined to  make  rice-farms  at  a  great  distance  from 
town,  Hyano  went  with  his  people  to  reside  in  tempo- 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  173 

rary  huts.  He  was  in  feeble  health,  and  apprehensions 
were  felt  that  the  exposure  might  be  more  than  he  could 
bear.  But  he  made  prayer,  as  aforetime,  morning  and 
evening  in  his  frail  house,  with  all  who  would  meet 
there,  and  rested  on  the  Sabbath,  '  according  to  the 
commandment.'  Many  watched  him  with  an  evil  eye. 
They  said  Hyano  would  die,  or  that  he  would  have  no 
rice.  But  Hyano's  health  improved,  and  no  one's  rice 
grew  better  than  his.  And  many  observed  and  said  : 
Hyano's  God  is  the  true  God. 

"The  year  passed  on.  On  a  cloudy  afternoon  at 
Diima  Lu,  on  the  Cavalla  river,  the  missionary 
preached,  as  he  had  done  many  scores  of  times  before, 
and  the  hearers  said,  hanh  te  nonh,  (true  things,)  as  many 
scores  of  times  before  also.  The  missionary  asked,  in 
sorrow  :  '  How  long  will  you  say,  and  never  do  V'  One 
replied  :  '  Do  what  ?  Long  time  have  I  believed  the 
Gospel,  and  I  am  ready  to  do  whatever  it  requires.' 
Another  and  another  said  so  likewise.  Amongst  these 
was  a  young  man  whose  past  life  was  notoriously  bad. 
His  companions  reminded  him  of  this,  and  expressed 
the  conviction  that  whatever  others  might  do,  lie  never 
could  be  a  Christian.  'And  can  a  wicked  man  never 
turn  from  his  wickedness  ?'  he  said.  '  I  know  I  have 
been  very  bad,  but  it  is  this  course  which  I  mean  to 
forsake.' 

"  The  interest  continued  and  extended.  One  Sun- 
day morning  a  middle-aged  man,  from  the  above  town, 
presented  himself  and  said :  '  I  have  come  to  inform 
you  that  I  have  resolved  to  do  the  mind  (lu,  head)  of 
God.' 

"  '  Why  is  this  ?' 


174  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

"  '  You  know  my  father.  He  had  many  idols,  and 
great  faith  in  them.  But  these  prevented  not  his  sick- 
ness, nor  his  death.  While  sick,  I  consulted  many 
deyabo  (demon-men)  in  reference  to  him.  All  said  he 
would  recover,  and  all  lied.  After  his  death,  I  again 
consulted  them,  and  they  said  he  was  bewitched,  and  in 
one  month  the  witch  should  be  manifested  by  an  un- 
timely death.  Again  they  all  lied.  Henceforth,  I  will 
have  nothing  more  to  do  with  deyabo  or  gree-grees.  I 
shall  serve  God.' 

"  Similar  cases  soon  followed.  Amongst  these,  the 
principal  man  in  the  town,  on  one  Sabbath  afternoon, 
after  Mr.  Jones  {Ku  Sia,  the  native  deacon)  had  held 
services,  gave  up  all  his  gree-grees,  and  announced  his 
determination  to  be  a  Christian.  From  this  town  seven 
have  already  been  baptized,  and  as  many  more  are 
candidates.  They  meet  morning  and  evening  for 
prayer,  in  the  house  of  one  of  their  number  ;  and  when 
visited  by  the  missionary,  it  is  cheering  to  observe  the 
devout  manner  in  which  they  join  audibly  in  prayer 
and  praise.  In  the  largest  of  the  Cavalla  towns,  as 
well  as  in  two  smaller  ones,  a  hopeful  interest  is  mani- 
fested by  quite  a  number,  male  and  female — of  these, 
four  have  been  baptized — making  in  all,  eleven  adults, 
most  all  of  them  old  and  middle-aged  men  and  women. 
Quite  as  many  more,  scattered  through  the  different 
towns,  are  desiring  baptism  ;  while  there  is  every  rea- 
son to  believe  that  the  interest  is  extending. 

"  'S.,'  said  the  missionary  to  one  formerly  the  most 
hardened  heathen,  '  why  are  you  not  a  Christian  ?' 

"  '  I  have  many  things  to  keep  me  back,  but  I  believe 
the  Gospel,  and  so  do  my  people.     Once  it  was  a  mat- 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  175 

ter  of  discussion  among  us,  but  it  is  no  longer  so.  We 
are  convinced  of  its  truth.  Hence  the  number  coming 
to  baptism ;  and  we  all  shall  receive  it  yet.' 

"At  Cape  Palmas,  the  state  of  things  is  quite  as  en- 
couraging. Since  the  missionary  took  charge  of  that 
station,  the  Sunday  congregations  have  been  overflow- 
ing, and  at  night  from  fifty  to  two  hundred  have 
attended  school.  Nor  does  this  seem  to  satisfy  them  ; 
along  the  roads  they  are  to  be  seen,  with  books  in 
hand,  asking  of  each  other,  and  of  colonists,  who  may 
chance  to  be  passing  along,  the  instruction  they  seek. 
Quite  a  number,  the  missionary,  brother  Scott,  writes, 
are  interested  in  their  soul's  salvation. 

"  Many  of  the  people  there  have  thrown  away  their 
gree-grees ;  amongst  these,  is  Pe-  Gfipamo,  brother  of 
the  late  King  Freeman,  and  virtually  his  successor. 
This  aged  man,  who  was  also  a  deya,  has  not  only 
thrown  away  his  gree-grees,  but  walks  about  among 
his  people,  and  exhorts  them  to  follow  his  example. 
The  subject  of  throwing  away  the  public  grec-grces  at 
Cape  Palmas,  has  been  discussed,  and  although  the 
measure  can  not  yet,  probably,  be  carried,  there  is  a 
large  number  in  its  favor. 

"  Coexistent  with  this  religious  interest  among  the 
people  has  been  a  remarkable  quickening  of  zeal,  and 
sense  of  responsibility  amongst  our  native  assistants. 
This,  under  God,  is  greatly  attributed  to  the  unex- 
pected death  of  the  late  Eev.  Robert  Smith.  At  the 
monthly  missionary  meeting  in  June,  being  the  one 
immediately  after  Mr.  Smith's  death,  Rev.  Clement 
Jones,  native  deacon,  made  an  address.  In  this  he 
expressed  his  deep  conviction,  that  God,  in  thus  sud- 


176  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

denly  calling  away  the  foreign  missionary,  spoke  to 
him  and  to  all  native  agents  to  arouse  themselves  to 
action.  They  must  cease  to  depend  upon  laborers  from 
abroad.  If  the  country  is  to  be  evangelized,  it  must 
be  done  chiefly  by  its  own  people. 

"And  '  why  not  ?'  he  asked.  '  What  is  the  Gospel  ? 
It  is  words — words  which  I  may  speak,  and  you,  and 
all.  God  must  give  power  to  the  words,  but  the  ivords 
we  all  may  pronounce.  God  has  evidently  placed  our 
work  before  us.     Let  us  resolve  to  do  it.' 

"  The  native  teacher  at  Cape  Palmas,  N.  S.  Harris, 
followed  in  a  similar  and  most  effective  speech.  He 
mourned  over  his  own  past  want  of  zeal,  and  called 
upon  all  henceforth  to  unite  with  him  in  amendment 
of  life.  At  the  close  of  the  school  examinations  at 
Cavalla,  T.  C.  Brownell,  the  native  teacher  of  the  boys' 
school,  in  a  long  and  interesting  address,  urged  the 
same  course. 

"In  like  manner,  at  Eocktown,  a  few  days  after- 
wards, the  same  motives  and  objects  were  presented. 
And  the  gratifying  fact  is,  that  action  has  followed 
words.  In  public  and  private ;  in  assemblies  of 
people  called  by  themselves,  and  with  old  companions 
in  schools,  but  now  relapsed  to  heathenism,  have  the 
teachers,  catechists,  and  native  missionary,  exerted 
themselves.  How  effectually  is  seen,  in  part,  by  the 
record  now  given.  It  shall  be  more  fully  seen  here- 
after. In  the  mean  time,  gratitude,  and  joy,  and  faith, 
and  hope,  find  their  delightful  expression  in  the  words 
of  the  Apostolic  missionary :  '  Now  thanks  be  unto 
God,  who  always  causeth  us  to  triumph  in  Christ,  and 
maketh  manifest  the  savor  of  his  knowledge  by  us  in 
every  place.' " 


"The¥  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to  another." — Mal.  3  ;  16. 

The  meeting  of  the  Convocation  of  the  Cape  Palmas 
Mission  for  August  of  1855,  was  one  of  very  remark- 
able interest. 

The  missionary  meeting  held  during  this  Convoca- 
tion, was  so  delightful  and  encouraging,  that  we  think 
a  brief  account  of  it  can  not  be  otherwise  than  cheer- 
ing, and  must  call  forth  from  the  Church  thanksgiving 
to  our  gracious  Father,  who  giveth  us,  in  the  wilds  of 
heathenism,  richly  to  enjoy  the  communion  of  saints, 
and  permits  us,  even  there,  to  speak  to  each  other  of 
His  "  marvellous  works  among  the  children  of  men." 

Keports  were  read  and  addresses  delivered  by  the 
missionaries  and  teachers  connected  with  the  various 
stations,  and  the  hearts  of  all  were  warmed  by  hearing 
"what  great  things  the  Lord  had  done  among  the  hea- 
then." In  the  words  of  Bishop  Payne :  "  It  was  most 
cheering  to  see  native  ministers,  teachers,  and  cate- 
chists  standing  up,  and  in  their  own  language,  with 
words  far  more  effective  than  any  expressed  in  their 
reports,  exhorting  one  another,  by  their  obligations  to 
the  Saviour  who  died  for  them,  by  the  sufferings  of 
foreign  missionaries,  and  by  their  relations  to  the  per- 
ishing people  around  them,  to  labor  for  their  salvation. 


178  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFEICA. 

"  Most  affecting  was  it  to  hear  them  confessing  their 
sense  of  utter  inability  to  do  any  thing  of  themselves  ; 
and  after  the  Saviour's  example,  who  passed  a  whole 
night  in  prayer  to  God,  urging  each  other,  by  earnest 
and  continued  supplications,  to  seek  the  grace  which 
they  needed. 

"And  more  blessed  than  all  was  it,  after  spending 
four  and  a  half  hours  in  a  missionary  meeting — hours 
flying  so  delightfully  that  they  seemed  but  moments — 
to  hear  from  the  house  in  which  they  were  staying,  at 
a  late  hour  of  the  night,  the  voice  of  thanksgiving 
and  prayer,  rising  to  the  throne  of  grace. 

"  Years  of  toil  and  suffering  were  all  compensated 
in  that  moment.  Here  was  a  company  of  Grebo  and 
Babo  and  Plabo  teachers,  catechists,  and  ministers, 
deeply  influenced  by  the  grace  of  God  themselves, 
and  burning  to  communicate  that  grace  to  others. 
And  as  they  were  dismissed  at  the  close  of  the  me- 
morable missionary  meeting,  with,  '  Go,  then,  in  this 
your  strength,  to  do  your  Master's  work,'  the  convic- 
tion was  strong  that  the  present  grace  was  a  sure 
earnest  of  the  future  faithful  service,  and  the  future 
blessing." 

The  native  teacher  from  Cape  Palmas,  N.  S.  Harris, 
read  the  following  report  to  the  Convocation  : 

"  I  have  been  called  to  give  some  report  of  my  sta- 
tion, and  how  the  boys  are  improving  in  their  studies, 
and  how  the  people  feel  concerning  religious  matters ; 
and  I  am  very  glad  to  have  such  an  opportunity  as 
this,  to  meet  here  at  Eocktown  for  this  very  purpose, 
and  also  to  give  praise  to  our  heavenly  Father,  through 
whose  mercies  the  glorious  Gospel  of  Christ  is  now 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  179 

spreading  in  our  country,  and  among  our  own  perish- 
ing brethren. 

"  In  the  first  place,  I  want  to  tell  you  about  my 
school.  At  first  there  was  a  great  running  away 
among  my  scholars,  which  I  have  strong  reason  to 
believe  is  now  ceased.  I  have  now  in  school  fifteen 
boys  and  two  girls,  who  have  been  in  school  for  some 
time,  and  not  one  of  them  ever  makes  an  attempt  to 
run  away. 

"  The  people  promise  me  some  more  boys,  whom  I 
think  I  will  get  after  they  are  done  cutting  rice,  or 
before  they  get  through  ;  and  I  think  there  is  a  pros- 
pect of  my  having  a  larger  school  than  I  have  ever 
had.  May  God  assist  the  people  to  fulfill  their  pro- 
mise, and  make  them  see  the  usefulness  of  bringing 
their  children  to  school ! 

"  In  the  second  place,  I  must  not  forget  to  give  you 
some  account  of  the  people  among  whom  I  live.  You 
all  very  well  remember  that  I  first  went  to  live  among 
the  Cape  Palmas  people  in  the  year  1852,  and  have 
continued  there  to  this  day.  During  this  time,  I  have 
bees  speaking  to  them  about  Clod,  and  explained  to 
them  what  it  is  the  white  people  bring  in  our  coun- 
try— that  it  is  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  which,  if 
they  would  receive,  would  raise  them  from  darkness 
to  light,  and  from  eternal  death  to  life  eternal. 

"At  first  I  could  not  make  them  believe  any  thing 
of  what  I  said.  Some  thought  I  was  a  wise  man,  who 
could  tell  fine  stories;  some  thought  that  it  was  no- 
thing but  fables:  but  I  continually  spoke  to  them, 
saying  it  is  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  which,  should 
you  receive  it,  would  make  yon  wise  unto  salvation. 


ISO  DAY   DAWN   IX  AFKICA. 

After  some  time,  a  good  many  of  them  began  to  un- 
derstand, and  also  to  believe  that  it  is  true ;  conse- 
quently, a  law  was  made  among  them,  to  rest  from  all 
works  and  go  to  church  on  Sunday,  and  worship  the 
God  of  heaven.  This  they  have  been  doing  for  several 
months  —  a  very  pleasing  object  in  the  sight  of  all 
Christians.  Dressed  up  nicely,  men,  women,  and 
children  fill  the  house  of  God,  in  order  to  hear  the 
good  news. 

"  But  oh  !  the  superstition  of  the  heathen  !  They 
would  rather  mind  their  rice-fields  than  to  praise  God, 
who  gives  them  the  rice.  May  God  help  them  to  un- 
derstand better,  and  give  them  strength  to  keep  His  laws ! 

"  Third,  the  evening  school.  This  was  established  not 
long  ago.  It  is  attended  to  very  well.  A  good  many 
young  men  and  children  are  members  of  this  school, 
getting  along  very  well  with  their  lessons  ;  and  I  be- 
lieve it  will  not  be  long  before  some  will  be  able  to 
read  in  the  word  of  God.  May  these  lessons  be  as- 
sisted by  divine  grace,  that  they  may  not  only  learn 
to  read,  but  may  also  learn  to  love  and  fear  God,  and 
walk  in  His  holy  ways  ! 

"  This  school  is  always  opened  with  prayer,  and 
closed  with  examination,  and  some  of  the  explanations 
of  '  Line  upon  Line.'  Some  of  the  boys  belonging  to 
this  school  are  regular  attendants  at  morning  and  even- 
ing prayers ;  and  on  Sunday  mornings  almost  all  of 
them  attend  the  prayers,  after  which  the  Sunday-school 
commences,  and  closes  about  nine  o'clock.  In  the 
afternoon  of  Sunday,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Scott  holds  the 
service,  and  preaches  to  them ;  and  in  the  evening, 
about  a  little  after  six,  I  hold  the  service. 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  181 

"  This  is  the  way  which  we  work  among  the  Cape 
Palmas  natives.  May  the  true  followers  of  Christ  pray 
for  His  servants  who  are  laboring  in  His  vineyard,  that 
their  labor  may  be  with  success,  and  be  the  means  of 
bringing  many  souls  to  Christ.     Amen." 

The  native  deacon  at  Cavalla,  C.  F.  Jones,  then  read 
the  following  report : 

"At  our  last  meeting,  I  said  that  my  labor  was  chief- 
ly among  the  two  tribes  up  the  Cavalla  river,  name- 
ly, the  Babo  tribe  and  Nyambo.  My  labor  is  limited 
to  these  tribes  at  present,  on  account  of  the  difficulties 
on  the  river.  But  we  hope  the  time  is  near,  when  we 
may  not  only  preach  to  these  two  tribes  near  us,  but 
to  others  far  up  the  river. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  say,  that  since  our  last  Convocation, 
nothing  of  remarkable  interest  has  occurred  among 
the  people  on  the  river.  But  we  are  still  following 
the  promise,  '  Be  not  weary  in  well-doing,  for  in  due 
season  ye  shall  reap,  if  ye  faint  not.'  The  time  of  my 
visits  to  their  towns  was  formerly  every  week ;  it  is 
lately  changed  to  every  other  week. 

"  My  duties  at  home  are  to  assist  the  Bishop,  preach 
every  Sunday  in  two  native  towns,  and  on  Sunday 
afternoons  hold  meeting  with  the  native  converts  at  a 
village  about  three  miles  off,  and  on  Sunday  evenings 
read  the  service,  and  also  help  the  Bishop  to  adminis- 
ter the  Lord's  Supper.  On  Wednesday  evenings,  I 
hold  meeting  with  the  converts  in  the  villages  near  us." 

Next  came  the  report  of  Thomas  C.  Brownell,  the 
native  teacher  of  the  boys'  school  at  Cavalla  : 

"  Rt.  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir  :  Agreeably  to  your  re- 
quest, I  herewith  submit  to  you  a  report  of  the  school 


182  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

in  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  make  me  a  teacher. 
Since  entering  upon  the  duties  assigned  me,  at  the 
commencement  of  last  January,  I  have  endeavored 
faithfully  to  discharge  those  duties,  according  to  my 
imperfect  ability.  And  I  am  happy  to  say  that  the 
scholars  have  been,  on  the  whole,  more  obedient  and 
industrious  than  heretofore.  I  have  reason  to  feel 
encouraged.  In  January  last,  I  adopted  the  rule  of 
meeting  all  the  scholars  on  every  Tuesday  evening ; 
and  since  the  adoption  of  the  rule,  four  of  the  scholars 
have  been  baptized.  And  I  hope,  by  God's  assistance, 
I  will  be  successful  in  all  my  duties.  '  Let  us  not  be 
weary  in  well  doing,  for  in  due  season  we  shall  reap, 
if  we  faint  not.' 

"And  since  the  death  of  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  I  have 
been  breaking  the  bread  of  life  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Dodo-lu  and  Ordnh-Idiade,  and  teaching  children  on 
Sundays  ;  and  I  hope  I  have  not  labored  in  vain,  for 
God  has  said :  'As  the  rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow 
from  heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth 
the  earth,  and  maketh  it  bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it 
may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and  bread  to  the  eater :  so 
shall  my  word  be  that  goeth  forth  out  of  my  mouth :  it 
shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but  it  shall  accomplish 
that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall  prosper  in  the  thing 
whereto  I  sent  it.'  The  gods  that  have  not  made  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  even  they  shall  perish  from  the 
earth,  and  from  under  the  heavens." 

Then  came  the  report  of  William  H.  Kinckle,  the 
assistant  native  teacher  in  the  boys'  school  at  Cavalla : 

"  I  am  happy  to  tell  you  something  of  what  I  am 
doing  in  the  Mission.      In  the  last  year,  I  was  ap- 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  183 

pointed  by  the  Kt.  Eev.  Bishop  Payne  to  be  an  assist- 
ant teacher,  when  Mr.  Rogers  was  here.  Since  that 
time  to  this  very  day,  the  lower  class  has  been  com- 
mitted to  my  care.  I  shall  now  name  the  studies 
which  they  are  pursuing.  Two  of  them  are  in  Smith's 
Geography,  three  are  in  Mitchell's  Geography.  They 
are  also  studying,  besides  Geography,  First  Book  of 
History,  Philosophy,  Speller  and  Defiuer,  Arithmetic, 
and  Writing.  The  others  are  in  the  New  Testament, 
National  Spelling-Book,  and  Arithmetic. 

"  I  have  now  been  reporting  to  you  about  the 
school,  but  permit  me  to  say  a  few  words  to  you. 
Besides  attending  to  the  school,  I  thought  within 
myself  to  do  something  which  will  be  the  means  of 
bringing  others  to  receive  the  Gospel.  And  this  is 
what  I  am  doing,  speaking  to  the  people  how  or  what 
they  must  do  to  be  saved.  For  '  the  harvest  is  great, 
but  the  laborers  are  few.'  Now,  as  the  harvest  is 
great,  and  the  laborers  are  few  to  carry  on  this  great 
work,  my  question  is,  Where  shall  the  laborers  be 
found  ?  We  must  not  think  that  the  white  mission- 
aries alone  have  to  carry  on  this  work.  I  need  hardly 
tell  you  who  are  they  who  have  to  carry  on  this  work, 
for  you  know  who  they  are.  It  is  we,  who  were  ojice 
heathen,  and  who  have  been  taught  by  the  mission- 
aries the  way  of  life.  And  as  we  have  received  it 
from  them,  so  let  us  to  others  impart.  Says  our  Sav- 
iour :  '  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  to  others  give.' 
IIow  can  we  live  in  neglect  of  such  a  business  ? 

"  What!  do  you  think  we  were  brought  from  hea- 
thenism, and  have  been  taught  by  the  Mission  the  way 
of  life,  for  nothing?     Oh!   no.     It  must  have  some 


18  i  DAY    DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

meaning  in  it,  and  the  meaning  that  it  has  in  it  is  this, 
that  we  might  go  abroad,  and  teach  our  people  the 
way  of  life,  and  point  them  to  the  Lamb  who  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world.  And  also  tell  them,  that 
'  there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among 
men,  whereby  they  can  be  saved,'  than  the  name  of 
Jesus." 

It  was  resolved  by  this  Convocation,  "that  two  com- 
mittees— one  from  the  American  and  Colonial  mission- 
aries, the  other  from  the  native  ministers  and  teach- 
ers— be  appointed  to  make  an  appeal  to  the  Church  in 
America,  in  behalf  of  the  Cape  Palmas  Mission  ;  set- 
ting forth  its  present  great  need  of  additional  laborers, 
and  the  encouragements  to  labor  among  the  heathen 
of  its  vicinity." 

The  report  of  the  first  committee  was  as  follows : 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  having  been  appointed  as 
the  first  committee,  would  earnestly  solicit  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Church  to  the  following  considerations  : 

"  It  is  generally,  if  not  universally,  admitted,  that  it 
is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  sustain  the  Mission  in 
Africa.  For  many  years  past,  there  has  been  a  grow- 
ing interest  in  this  too  long  neglected  continent ;  and 
all  who  have  prayerfully  watched  the  leadings  of  God's 
providence,  are  convinced  that  the  time  has  fully  come 
when  the  Gospel  should  be  proclaimed  to  the  millions 
of  her  benighted  children.  There  are  many,  however, 
who  still  think  it  inexpedient  for  white  missionaries  to 
labor  in  a  land  so  destructive  to  their  physical  consti- 
tution as  this  has  proved  to  be.  They  say  to  those 
who  are  seeking  to  know  whether  it  is  their  duty  to 
come  hither:   ' Stay  at  home,  where  your  services  arc 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  185 

needed,  and  leave  the  work  in  Africa  to  her  own  sons, 
to  whom  it  properly  belongs.'  Those  who  give  this 
advice,  are  doubtless  sincere.  They  believe  that  Af- 
ricans, in  view  of  their  physical  constitution  being 
adapted  to  the  climate,  are  better  fitted  for  this  work 
than  Anglo-Saxons ;  but  they  entirely  overlook  one 
very  important  fact,  namely,  that  they  are  not  yet  pre- 
pared for  the  ivork,  and  that  they  must  be  prepared  for 
it,  to  a  great  extent,  by  the  efforts  of  foreign  laborers 
on  their  own  soil. 

"  Yes  ;  in  order  that  the  Gospel  be  fully  preached, 
and  schools  properly  sustained,  among  the  heathen  of 
Africa,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  a  goodly  num- 
ber of  foreign  missionaries  continue  to  come,  to  labor 
and  suffer,  and,  if  it  please  God,  to  die,  for  perhaps 
one  or  two  generations  yet  to  come. 

"  From  the  establishment  of  the  Mission  to  the  pre- 
sent time,  the  work  has  been  carried  forward  under 
great  disadvantages.  The  wilderness  had  to  be  cleared, 
comfortable  buildings  to  be  erected,  interpreters  to  be 
educated,  a  barbarous  language  to  be  acquired  and 
written,  and  the  prejudices  of  the  people  to  be  over- 
come. All  this  had  to  be  done  by  a  very  few  indi- 
viduals, there  being  seldom  more  than  three  regular 
missionaries  in  the  field  at  one  time,  and  they,  in  gen- 
eral, but  partially  acclimated,  and,  from  the  short 
time  engaged  in  the  work,  necessarily  without  a  tho- 
rough knowledge  of  the  native  character.  Yet,  not- 
withstanding the  smallness  of  the  force  in  the  field, 
and  the  many  difficulties  with  which  they  had  to  con- 
tend, a  year  never  passed  without  some  tokens  of 
God's  presence.     Even  while  some  in  America  were 


186  DAY   DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

gravely  advocating  the  expediency  of  abandoning  the 
Mission,  this  little  toiling  band  were  cheered  in  their 
work  by  seeing  the  breastworks  of  the  enemy  slowly 
but  surely  weakening,  and  their  little  army  gradually 
enlarging  by  recruits  from  the  opposing  force. 

"  Now  the  way  has  been  fairly  prepared  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  great  things  in  future.  Stations  have 
been  opened  and  buildings  erected  at  six  important 
points  among  the  heathen ;  and  a  goodly  number  of 
teachers  and  interpreters,  with  hearts  warmed  by  re- 
deeming love,  have  been  raised  up  from  among  the 
people.  These  feel  that  the  great  business  of  their 
lives  is  to  carry  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  their 
benighted  countrymen.  Two  of  them  are  already  or- 
dained, and  others  are  looking  forward  to  the  minis- 
try. Surely  these  are  sufficient  causes  of  encourage- 
ment to  the  desponding  friends  of  our  Mission. 

"  That  God  is  now  pouring  out  His  Spirit  upon  this 
people  as  never  before,  is  another  most  encouraging 
circumstance.  Since  the  8th  of  April,  (little  more 
than  five  months,)  thirty -four  heathen  converts  have 
been  baptized,  twenty-four  of  whom  were  from  the 
heathen  towns.  In  the  Cavalla  towns,  where  nearly 
all  these  people  reside,  there  are  still  many  hopeful  in- 
quirers. A  large  proportion  of  the  inhabitants  have 
renounced  gree-grees,  and  only  need  the  influences  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  enable  them  to  give  up  all  for 
Christ. 

"At  Eocktown,  large  numbers  of  the  people  regu- 
larly attend  church,  and  some  of  them  are  being  awak- 
ened to  a  sense  of  their  lost  condition  by  nature.  At 
Fishtown,  a  law  has  been  passed  requiring  the  whole 


DAY  DAWN   IN-  AFRICA.  187 

peop.c  to  refrain  from  labor,  and  even  from  fishing,  on 
the  Sabbath-day.  Hundreds  assemble  there  weekly, 
to  hear  the  Gospel  from  the  native  teacher. 

"At  Cape  Palmas,  there  has  been  a  growing  inter- 
est among  the  people  for  the  past  eighteen  months. 
The  congregations  at  the  native  chapel  are  generally 
large  and  attentive.  A  few  months  since,  a  night- 
school  was  opened,  which  has  been  attended  by  large 
numbers  of  young  men  and  children,  many  of  whom 
have  made  remarka*ble  progress  in  their  studies. 
Among  the  people  generally,  an  unusual  interest  has 
been  awakened  on  the  subject  of  education.  The 
leading  men  of  the  community — among  whom  is  Gfi 
Pam,  the  acting  king  of  the  Cape  Palmas  towns — have 
renounced  gree-grees.  This  will  pave  the  way  for  the 
rapid  progress  of  the  Gospel  among  them. 

"  In  view  of  all  these  facts,  can  any  one  say  that 
this  Mission  has  been  established  in  vain,  that  those 
who  have  suffered  and  died  here,  have  suffered  and 
died  in  vain  ?  No,  brethren  ;  could  the  dead  speak 
from  their  graves,  they  would  say,  as  with  one  voice  : 
'Let  the  Mission  go  forward,  more  than  ever  let  the  Mis- 
sion go  forward.  We  count  it  not  a  vain  thing  that 
we  have  suffered  and  died  for  Christ.' 

"Indeed,  were  the  number  of  those  who  have  fallen 
in  the  field  ten  times  as  great  as  it  is,  we  should  still 
feel  that  the  sacrifice  had  not  been  made  for  naught, 
that  they  had  accomplished  a  great  work.  Is  it  not  a 
great  work,  brethren,  to  plant  a  church  in  a  heathen 
land ;  to  raise  up  a  hundred  converts  from  the  en- 
slaved children  of  idolatry ;  to  educate  scores  of  young 
people,  and  prepare  them  for  the  work  of  teaching  and 


188  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

preaching  the  Gospel  to  their  degraded  countrymen ; 
to  bring  fifty  thousand  heathen,  more  or  less,  under 
the  influence  of  the  preached  word ;  and  to  weaken, 
and  almost  undermine,  the  superstitions  which  have 
been  handed  down  from  father  to  son  from  time  im- 
memorial ? 

"  This  is  the  work  which,  with  the  blessing  of  God, 
this  Mission  has  been  enabled  to  accomplish.  Now, 
brethren,  shall  this  work  go  forward  ?  Shall  it  go  for- 
ward vigorously?  If  you  will  have  it  so,  you  must 
contribute  of  your  means  as  you  have  never  done  be- 
fore. At  this  very  time,  while  God  is  working  so 
powerfully  among  these  poor  people,  you  draw  back 
from  the  work.  You  have  been  appealed  to  in  vain 
to  give  the  small  amount  absolutely  necessary  to  sus- 
tain the  operations  of  the  Mission. 

"  For  the  six  different  stations  among  the  heathen, 
and  one  in  the  Colony,  (within  the  bounds  of  this 
Convocation,)  there  are  but  three  regular  missionaries 
from  America — one  colonist,  and  two  native  deacons. 
Those  from  America  find  it  necessary ;  in  order  to  re- 
tain a  tolerable  measure  of  health,  to  visit  a  temperate 
climate  at  least  once  in  four  years.  But  how  can  this 
be  accomplished  while  the  force  is  so  very  small  ? 
Again,  those  who  are  in  the  field  at  present,  have 
very  much  more  to  do  than  their  strength  will  allow. 
At  this  very  time,  our  Bishop  is  prevented  visiting 
Bassa  Cove,  Monrovia,  and  other  remote  parts  of  the 
Mission,  by  want  of  assistance  at  Cavalla.  One  more 
regular  missionary  is  also  needed  at  Taboo,  one  at 
Fishtown,  and  another  at  Cape  Palmas.  While  it  is 
absolutely  requisite  to  have  four  more,  in  order  to 
carry  on  the  work  effectually,  a  dozen  might  be  use- 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFKICA.  189 

fully  employed  at  these  different  stations.  It  is  utterly 
impossible  for  the  missionaries  now  on  the  ground,  to 
do  one  half  the  work  pressing  upon  them  continually. 
To  some  of  these  poor  people,  so  frequently  asking  us 
to  come  and  teach  them,  saying,  '  We  believe  this 
word,  but  we  don't  know  enough  about  it  yet,'  we  are 
compelled,  with  sorrowful  hearts,  to  reply  :  '  We  have 
not  strength  to  teach  you.'  To  obey  this  call  as  we 
desire,  to  go  from  house  to  house,  teaching  the  rudi- 
ments of  the  Gospel,  is  far  more  than  we  are  able  to 
perform,  in  connection  with  the  many  other  duties  de- 
manding our  time  and  attention. 

"  Let  the  Church  send  forth  double  the  force  now 
in  the  field,  and  we  shall  soon  see  more  than  double 
the  work  accomplished,  and  at  much  less  waste  of 
health  and  life. 

"  We  have  now  finished  our  task.  We  have  set  be- 
fore you,  brethren,  the  simple  truth.  Will  you  not 
listen  to  the  loud  call  which  the  poor,  sin-enslaved, 
suffering,  dying  heathen  are  making  to  you  for  the 
bread  of  life  ?  Shall  Ethiopia  stretch  forth  her  hands 
to  you  in  vain  f  God  forbid !  In  the  words  of  our 
beloved  brother  Smith,  written  only  a  few  weeks  be- 
fore his  death,  we  say  :  '  O  brethren  !  consider  these 
things ;  and  may  God  give  you  hearts,  according  to 
your  ability,  to  "come  over  and  help  us."  ' 
"E.E.  Scott, 

Missionary  at  Cape  Palmas. 
C.  C.  Hoffman, 

Missionary  at  Eocktown. 
G.  W.  Gibson, 

Missionary  at  Mt.  Vaughan. 

"September  10(h,  1855." 


€\\x$ttx  %\itittvit\. 

"All  thy  children  shall  be  taught  of  the  Lord ;  and  great  shall  be 
the  peace  of  thy  children." — Isa.  54  :  13. 

"We  mentioned  in  a  previous  chapter  that  the  Female 
Orphan  Asylum  at  Cape  Palmas  was  sufficiently  com- 
pleted to  be  occupied  by  a  mission  family,  and  that 
Kev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scott,  whom  Bishop  Payne  had 
appointed  to  take  charge  of  it,  removed  from  Cavalla, 
and  took  possession  in  April,  1855. 

It  will  be  proper  here  to  give  a  sketch  of  the  origin 
and  progress  of  this  interesting  institution,  and,  as  no 
better  account  can  be  given,  we  quote  from  the  last 
Annual  Eeport  of  the  Association  in  Philadelphia,  by 
which  it  is  sustained  : 

"  Four  years  ago,  during  the  last  visit  of  Bishop 
Payne  to  this  country,  he  published  a  letter,  in  some 
of  our  Church  papers,  on  the  importance  of  establishing 
an  asylum  at  Cape  Palmas  for  the  education  of  orphan 
girls,  with  a  view  of  bringing  the  element  of  female 
influence  to  bear  on  the  great  work  of  ameliorating  the 
condition  of  the  African  race.  In  his  letter,  the  Bish- 
op says :  '  Such  an  institution  is  of  the  very  first 
importance  to  the  welfare  of  the  colony  and  the  suc- 
cess of  African  missions.  It  is  not  necessary  to  stop 
to  show  that  female  education  is  indispensable  to  the 
elevation  of  any  community.     This  is  universally  ad- 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  191 

mitted.  It  is  enough  to  state  that  there  is  no  adequate 
provision  for  this  at  Cape  Palmas.  No  provision  exists 
there  for  educating  wives  for  colonists  in  general,  or 
for  ministers  and  teachers,  who  must  give  tone  to 
society,  and,  ere  long,  constitute  the  great  instrumen- 
tality for  evangelizing  the  heathen.  In  order  to  the 
success  of  this  enterprise,  there  should  be  an  association 
formed  in  this  country.  It  would  be  of  the  first  im- 
portance that  the  operation  of  the  association  should  in 
no  way  affect  the  present  current  receipts  for  foreign 
missions.' 

"  In  accordance  with  the  suggestions  contained  in 
the  letter  from  which  these  extracts  are  taken — at  the 
earnest  request  of  our  Eight  Rev.  Father  in  Africa, 
and  with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the  Foreign 
Committee — an  Association  was  formed  in  this  city 
(Philadelphia)  in  the  summer  of  1852,  for  the  purpose 
of  aiding  in  carrying  into  operation  an  instrumentality 
of  the  kind  contemplated.  The  Association  is  composed 
of  ladies,  from  a  number  of  congregations,  who,  with 
the  advice  of  several  of  their  rectors,  are  earnestly 
engaged,  through  the  Foreign  Committee,  in  cooperat- 
ing with  Bishop  Payne,  in  establishing,  sustaining,  and 
fostering  an  institution,  which  it  is  confidently  ex- 
pected will,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  accomplish 
great  good  for  Africa. 

"  The  original  estimate  of  the  Bishop  for  the  cost  of 
the  burlding  was  two  thousand  dollars.  This  amount, 
and  more,  was  raised  without  difficulty  during  the  first 
year.  Then  came  a  long  period  of  delay,  the  unavoid- 
able attendant  of  all  operations  in  the  building  line  in 
Africa.    The  materials  for  building  had  to  be  carried 


192  DAY    DAWN    IN   AFKICA. 

from  this  country.  There  was  but  one  mason  in  the 
colony,  and  his  services  could  only  be  secured  at  inter- 
vals '  few  and  far  between.'  For  three  years  after  the 
commencement  of  their  enterprise,  the  friends  of  the 
Asylum  were  compelled  to  stand  still  and  wait  in  pa- 
tience the  slow  progress  made  towards  the  erection  of 
their  building.  The  cost  of  erection,  owing  to  difficul- 
ties which  could  not  be  foreseen,  as  will  be  seen  from 
a  recent  letter  of  Bishop  Payne's,  will  be  four  or  five 
times  the  amount  originally  contemplated.  The  fol- 
lowing letter  from  the  Bishop  furnishes  an  interesting- 
account  of  the  first  examination  of  the  pupils  of  the 
institution,  held  at  the  close  of  the  year  : 

"  Cavalla,  near  Cafte  Palmas,  Jan.  22. 

"  Eev.  and  dear  Brother  :  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
writing  to  you  per  bark  Estella,  in  September,  report- 
ing some  satisfactory  progress  in  the  Orphan  Asylum. 
I  thank  God,  that  I  can  now  inform  you  that  on  Fri- 
day, 21st  of  December,  I  attended  the  first  regular 
examination  of  that  important  institution. 

"  It  was  one  of  our  most  pleasant  days.  The  sky 
was  clear,  and  by  eleven  o'clock,  the  earliest  hour  at 
which  we  could  assemble,  the  sea  breeze  had  well  set 
in,  to  pour  its  refreshing  influences  upon  the  visitors 
and  children  assembled  in  the  beautiful  new  school- 
room. 

"Before  going  into  examination,  I  could  but  refresh 
my  eyes  with  a  view  of  the  matron's  room,  and  delight- 
ful dormitory,  on  the  first  floor  of  the  eastern  part  of 
the  building.  Some  of  the  best  stone-lime  from  Ham- 
burg, and  an  excellent  plasterer,  have  provided  here 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  1$3 

as  fine  white,  firm  walls  as  could  be  desired.  Along 
either  side  of  the  dormitory  were  arranged  the  nice 
little  iron  beds,  with  quilts  sent  out  by  your  Associa- 
tion ;  and  in  a  recess  were  cupboards,  with  a  shelf  for 
each  girl,  with  her  number  above  it.  Over  the  heads 
of  the  beds,  on  the  walls,  I  observed  very  suitable 
texts  inscribed  by  the  good  taste  of  the  teacher. 

"  Passing  into  the  west  end  of  the  Asylum,  towards 
the  Cape,  I  found  assembled  sixteen  orphans,  and 
about  the  same  number  of  day  scholars,  arranged  on 
long  benches  on  either  side  of  the  room,  (like  the  dor- 
mitory, beautifully  plastered ;)  Mrs.  Scott,  the  teacher, 
at  the  extreme  west  end,  and  friends  and  visitors  at 
the  opposite  part  of  the  room.  On  a  round  table,  in 
the  centre,  were  placed  bouquets  of  African  Lilies,  Ole- 
ander, Pride  of  Barbadocs ;  copy-books,  compositions, 
small  drawings,  etc. 

"  Only  six  months  had  elapsed  since  the  Institution 
had  gone  into  full  operation,  and  not  so  long  a  time 
since  the  orphans  had  been  taken  to  board  in  the 
Asylum.  A  number  of  them,  however,  had  been 
members  of  other  schools  for  some  time,  and  this 
accounted  for  a  degree  of  proficiency  in  some,  which 
could  not  otherwise  have  been  anticipated.  Classes 
were  examined  in  spelling,  reading,  rudiments  of 
geography,  arithmetic,  natural  philosophy,  ph}rsiology ; 
and  a  more  advanced  and  adult  class — not  of  the  or- 
phans— in  ancient  history  and  the  rudiments  of  botatty. 
Some  compositicJns  were  exhibited  of  the  class  lust 
mentioned,  which  certainly  gave  evidence  of  thought 
in  the  writers  and  tact  in  the  teacher. 

"  Most  of  the  members  of  the  Institution  arc  young, 


194  DAY   DAWX   IN   AFRICA. 

the  oldest  not  being  above  fourteen  years,  and  the 
youngest  as  low  as  five  or  six. 

"  But  the  interesting  fact  to  you  will  be  that  they 
are  now  under  instruction,  and  that  the  Institution  is 
in  full  operation.  And  the  examination  gave  proof 
enough  that  they  possessed  capacities  for  usefulness 
here  and  happiness  hereafter. 

"  The  examination  over,  with  some  missionary  and 
colonist  brethren,  I  dined  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
building  with  Brother  and  Mrs.  Scott.  The  rooms 
immediately  over  the  matron's  room  and  dormitory 
(three  in  number)  are  finished,  and  occupied  by  the 
mission  family.  *  *  *  *  *  The  upper  part  of 
the  Asylum,  in  the  division  toward  the  Cape,  is  as  yet 
incomplete  ;  as  are  also  the  upper  piazzas  and  the  lev- 
elling and  grading  below.  *  *  *  *  The  kitchen 
of  stone,  with  three  floors,  including  basement  and 
five  rooms,  could  not  have  cost  much  less  than  one 
thousand  dollars.  Besides  smaller  out-houses,  stone 
walls  are  made,  or  being  made,  all  around  the  lot. 
This  is  done  because  stone  is  on  the  ground,  and 
nothing  else  will  withstand  the  ravages  of  the  termites, 
which  are  all  over  this  country.     *     *     *     *     * 

"  With  Christian  love  to  the  members  of  your  Asso 
ciation,  I  remain, 

"Faithfully  your  friend  and  brother, 

"John  Payne." 

From  another  letter,  published  in  the  same  report, 
we  make  the  following  extracts,  which  give  a  more 
minute  description  of  the  building : 


s 


: 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  195 

"Orphan  Asylum,  Cape  Talmas. 

"  Eev.  and  dear  Sir  :  Your  letter  to  Mr.  Scott, 
requesting  to  hear  as  much  as  possible  about  the  Or- 
phan Asylum,  has  been  handed  to  me  for  reply — such 
details,  in  his  opinion,  coming  more  immediately  under 
the  observation  of  the  lady  of  the  house.  Our  first 
examination  took  place  a  few  days  before  Christmas  ; 
but  as  our  Bishop  will  give  you  an  account  of  it,  I 
will  pass  on  to  describe  the  building,  merely  observing 
that  the  children  acquitted  themselves  better  than  was 
expected.  The  school-room,  though  not  completed, 
was  used  on  that  occasion.  It  is  a  fine,  airy  room, 
about  thirty  feet  long  and  sixteen  wide,  and  is 
adorned  with  large  outline  maps,  a  globe,  and  several 
engravings.  It  is  situated  in  that  part  of  the  building, 
which  approaches  nearest  the  point  of  the  Cape.  Over 
the  western  door,  which  commands  a  splendid  view  of 
the  sea,  we  have  inscribed  in  large  letters :  '  "Wisdom  is 
the  principal  thing  ;  therefore,  get  wisdom.' 

"  Naval  officers,  captains  of  merchant  vessels,  and 
others  who  have  visited  Cape  Palmas,  pronounce  the 
Orphan  Asylum  to  have  the  most  beautiful  and  healthy 
location  on  the  western  coast  of  Africa.  They  also 
highly  approve  of  the  object  of  the  building,  and  of 
the  style  in  which  it  is  built.  Could  those  who  have 
been  instrumental  in  erecting  the  Asylum,  see  the  hap- 
py, animated  faces  of  the  little  beings  daily  assembled 
within  its  walls,  we  feel  certain  that  they  would  consi- 
der themselves  amply  repaid  for  all  their  trouble  and 
expense,  Do  not  think  I  am  influenced  by  the  natural 
partiality  of  a  teacher  when  I  say  that  these  children 
are  earnestly  striving  to  improve,  and  that  they  arc 


196  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

truly  grateful  to  those  who  have  given  them  a  home, 
and  the  means  of  education.  Some  of  the  older  girls, 
I  have  been  told,  have  spoken  with  emotion  of  the 
contrast  between  their  present  and  former  mode  of  liv- 
ing. 'Then,'  said  they,  'we  were  taught  nothing; 
some  of  us  had  to  go  out  into  the  swamps,  rain  or 
shine,  and  drag  in  timber  to  earn  our  bread  ;  now  wc 
have  a  comfortable  home,  good  food,  and  teachers  who 
are  willing  to  teach  us  all  in  their  power.' 

"  The  children  walk  in  procession  to  St.  Mark's 
Church  every  Sunday  morning,  and  occupy  pews  (near 
the  missionaries)  appropriated  to  them.  They  also 
attend  Sunday-School  there  in  the  aftenoon. 

"  Thinking  you  may  feel  some  curiosity  on  the  sub- 
ject, we  send  you  the  names  and  ages  of  the  children  as 
nearly  as  could  be  ascertained.  We  also  send  you  a 
copy  of  the  rules,  which  we  have  had  printed,  and 
hung  up  in  the  different  rooms.  To  promote  order, 
we  have  found  it  necessary  to  number  the  girls  accord- 
ing to  their  ages,  and  to  prevent  confusion  have  carried 
it  out  in  all  our  arrangements  for  them.  Each  girl 
has  her  own  number  marked  on  her  books,  clothes, 
and  all  her  little  possessions  ;  and  it  is  contrary  to  rule 
for  one  child  to  use  any  article  marked  with  a  number 
appropriated  to  another. 

"As  you  wish  to  hear  particularly  about  the  house, 
I  must  not  omit  a  description  of  the  dormitory.  This 
is  a  pleasant  and  well- ventilated  room,  about  thirty  feet 
long  and  sixteen  wide,  and  is  connected  with  the  ma- 
tron's neat  little  chamber.  It  contains  three  large 
closets — two  for  the  girls'  clothes,  and  one  for  the  bed- 
clothes, towels,  etc.     Each  child  has  a  shelf  marked 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFKICA.  197 

with  her  own  number,  and  she  is  required  to  keep 
every  thing  in  its  place.  The  small  iron  bedsteads 
(arranged  in  two  rows  along  the  white  walls,  look  very- 
comfortable  with  their  sheets,  pillow-cases,  and  spreads, 
sent  out  by  the  ladies  of  Philadelphia.  At  the  head 
of  each  bed  is  a  small  picture  and  an  appropriate  verse. 
Over  the  main  door  of  the  front  entrance  I  have 
inscribed  those  soothing  words  of  the  Psalmist,  '  I  will 
lay  me  down  in  peace  and  sleep,  for  thou,  Lord,  only 
makest  me  to  dwell  in  safety ;'  and  on  the  opposite 
door,  the  beautiful  injunction  of  St.  John,  '  My  little 
children,  let  us  not  love  in  word,  neither  in  tongue,  but 
in  deed  and  truth.''  l  If  God  so  loved  us,  we  ous-ht  also 
to  love  one  another.' 

"  The  dining-room  is  in  the  basement,  and  is  very 
dry  and  comfortable,  The  long  table,  covered  with  a 
neat  drab  cloth  and  white  plates,  looks  quite  inviting. 
On  one  side  of  the  wall  is  printed  the  command  of  St. 
Paul,  'Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order;' 
on  the  other,  the  words  of  our  blessed  Saviour  :  '  Ga- 
ther up  the  fragments,  that  nothing  be  lost.' 

"  Last,  though  not  least  important,  comes  the  wash- 
room. Here  the  older  girls,  under  the  supervision  of 
the  matron,  wash  and  iron  their  clothes  ;  and  here  too 
they  are  required  to  bathe  every  night — every  thing 
necessary  for  personal  cleanliness  being  freely  supplied 
them.  Over  the  entrance  we  have  written,  '  Cleanli- 
ness is  next  to  godliness.' 

"  In  addition  to  the  rooms  on  the  first  floor  just 
described,  there  are  already  three  rooms  on  the  second 
floor,  and  two  in  the  attic,  completed  for  the  use  of  the 
missionaries,  and  several  more  to  be  finished,  all  of 


198  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

them  as  comfortable  as  Christians  need  desire  in  this 
transitory  life.     *     *    * 

"  Very  truly  yours, 

"Anna  M.  Scott. 
"  Rev.  Richard  Newton,  D.D." 

We  doubt  not  that  many  souls  in  Africa  will  arise  to 
call  this  Institution  blessed  long'  after  the  noble  spirits 
who  planned  it,  with  those  who  now  sustain  its  opera- 
tions, shall  have  passed  away  to  their  reward ;  and  that 
this  Asylum  will  long  stand — a  moral  light-house  on 
that  dark  coast — diffusing  light  and  knowledge  to  all 
around ;  while  numerous  children,  trained  up  within 
its  walls,  "  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord," 
shall  go  forth  to  tell  to  thousands  of  the  surrounding 
heathen  the  story  of  redeeming  love.  In  love  its 
foundation  was  laid  ;  in  love  its  walls  were  reared  ;  in 
love  its  orphans  gathered,  clothed,  and  taught ;  and  we 
must  believe  that  the  God  of  Love  will  keep,  defend, 
and  cherish  that  which  His  own  Spirit  has  originated. 

"We  have  now  to  record  the  death  of  another  beloved 
member  of  the  Mission.  On  the  10th  of  November, 
Mrs.  Mary  Louisa  Rambo  died  at  the  mission-house  at 
Buchanan,  Bassa  county.  "Her  disease,"  writes  Mr. 
R.,  "  was  bilious  remittent  fever,  which  carried  her  off, 
after  a  painful  illness  of  sixteen  days.  She  calmly 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  at  half-past  three  o'clock  A.M., 
Nov.  10th,  1855. 

"  I  need  not  tell  you  that  my  house,  lately  so  pleas- 
ant and  happy,  is  now  desolate,  gloomy,  and  forlorn. 
This  blow  came  the  more  severe,  because  it  was  sudden 
and  unexpected.     Up  to  her  last  illness,  which  was 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  109 

very  severe  from  the  beginning,  she  had  little  or  no 
fever — but  her  head-aches  were  often  severe.  I  was 
therefore  quite  unprepared  for  the  sad  and  terrible 
blow.  But  Mrs.  R.  thought  from  the  beginning  of  her 
illness  that  it  would  carry  her  off,  and  had  '  set  her 
house  in  order.'  She  died  as  she  lived,  full  of  faith, 
hope,  and  love.  She  gave  unmistakable  evidence 
that  all  was  well,  and  said  that  'Jesus  was  near,  and 
precious  to  her.' " 

In  announcing  her  death  to  the  public,  the  Bishop 
thus  writes : 

"  It  is  not  quite  two  years  since  Mrs.  Rambo  joined 
us  in  apparent  good  health,  and  in  the  fullness  of  all 
the  graces  which  form  a  dutiful,  loving  wife,  an  affec- 
tionate, agreeable  companion,  a  faithful  missionary,  a 
guileless,  meek,  and  lovely  child  of  God.  While  pre- 
parations were  being  made  at  her  appointed  station, 
Bassa  Cove,  she  was  a  member  of  the  mission  family 
at  Cavalla,  and,  during  Mrs.  Payne's  absence,  took  her 
place  in  guiding  the  household.  How  gently,  and 
wisely,  and  gracefully  she  performed  her  part,  the  sor- 
rowing hearts  of  all,  who  then  learned  to  know  and 
love  her,  can  testify. 

"As  a  missionary  sister,  too,  she  '  labored  much  in 
the  Lord,'  and  with  God's  evident  blessing.  Three 
heathen  adults  she  sought  out  and  led  to  Jesus,  in 
whose  name  they  have  been  baptized.  And  these  and 
many  others  can  not  think  of  her  but  with  tears  of 
sorrow  and  regret.  Though  possessing  naturally  an 
amiable  temper,  deep  piety  was  the  great  secret  of  her 
amial ileness  and  usefulness.  Iler  consecration  knew 
no  reserve.      In   frequent   conversations,   whieh  the 


200         •  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFKICA. 

writer  of  this  had  with  her  on  the  subject,  she 
appeared  fully  to  realize  the  hardships  and  the  risk',  to 
which  the  opening  of  a  new  station  must  subject  her, 
but  she  said  she  had  counted  the  cost,  and  was  pre- 
pared most  cheerfully  to  encounter  it. 

"  Thus  she  left  Cava] la  for  Bassa  Cove  nine  months 
since,  and  we  were  hoping  soon  again  to  see  her  for  a 
short  time,  when  tidings  came  to  us  of  her  death. 
*  *  *  We  knoAv  that  our  beloved  sister  sleeps  in 
Jesus ;  and  we  will  try  so  to  follow  her  good  example, 
that  soon  we  may  be  partakers  with  her  of  His  hea- 
venly kingdom." 

In  the  last  chapter  we  gave  the  appeal  from  the  for- 
eign and  colonial  missionaries  to  the  American  Church. 
In  this  we  give  the  appeal  from  the  native  missionaries, 
which  will  afford  a  striking  evidence  of  what  education 
can  do  with  African  minds,  and  what  the  Gospel  can 
do  with  heathen  hearts  : 

"  The  native  ministers,  teachers,  and  assistants,  con- 
nected with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Mission  at  Cape 
Palmas,  believing  that  God  is  now  beginning  a  good 
and  extensive  work  of  grace  amongst  the  people 
around  us,  and  deeply  feeling  the  great  need  of  more 
laborers  to  carry  on  this  work,  do  hereby  earnestly 
appeal  to  Christians  in  the  United  States  to  send  forth 
more  laborers  into  this  great  harvest.  In  order  that 
you  may  the  better  know  the  state  of  things  and  our 
feelings,  we  have  allowed  each  one  to  speak  for  him- 
self." 

G.  T.  Bedell,  teacher  at  Eocktown,  thus  writes : 

"  From  my  desiring  that  the  work  of  Christ  should 
go  forward  more  than  ever,  I  am  led  to  address  these 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  2Q1 

few  lines  to  you.  In  the  first  place,  I  desire  to  give 
you  information  of  a  great  change  that  is  now  begin- 
ning to  take  place  at  Rocktown. 

"  There  was  once  a  time  when  the  people's  hearts 
were  so  hardened,  that  they  did  not  regard  the  great 
God,  who  made  them,  nor  did  they  like  to  hear  about 
Him,  and  of  Ills  Son,  Jesus  Christ.  The  first  mission- 
ary that  went  to  them  was  Mr.  Ilening ;  afterward  Mr. 
Home  was  sent  to  them,  who  was  taken  away  by  death, 
and,  lastly,  Mr.  Wright.  These  three  has  God  sent  to 
labor  among  the  people.  Bat  oh !  the  hardness  of 
their  hearts — Gods  message  to  them  was  not  received 
at  that  time.  They  looked  upon  religion  as  a  mere 
fable.  But  though  God  was  pleased  that  this  state  of 
things  should  stand  so  for  a  while,  yet  He  did  not  mean 
that  His  work  should  stop  there  altogether.  It  so  hap- 
pened that  the  thought  came  to  me  whether  God  meant, 
by  the  departing  of  His  servants,  that  I  should  stand 
in  their  place,  and  act  as  a  missionary  to  them.  After 
some  consideration,  I  concluded  to  do  so.  So  I  have 
tried  speaking  to  them  about  God,  the  same  as  the 
other  missionaries  have  done,  explaining  to  them  the 
foolishness  of  worshipping  their  gods,  and  set  before 
them  God,  their  Maker,  and  Jesus  Christ,  their  cruci- 
fied Redeemer  ;  and  the  people  have  become  so  affected 
by  the  Gospel  truths,  that  they  will  fill  the  house  of 
God  on  Sunday  for  divine  adoration ;  and  I  believe, 
that '  before  long  they  will  forsake  the  worshipping  of 
idols,  and  turn  to  the  only  true  and  living  God. 

"  Sec  now,  my  dear  friends,  how  the  work  is  carried 
on.  The  native  ministers  and  teachers  are  at  work ; 
our  white  missionaries  are.  at  work,   and  the   Holy 


202  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

Ghost  is  at  work ;  we  are  all  at  work,  but  the  field  is 
too  large.  The  harvest  truly  is  great,  but  the  laborers 
are  few.  All  of  my  native  Christian  friends  say  the 
laborers  are  few.  I  have  great  reason  to  believe  that 
Jesus  Christ  says  the  same  thing  at  this  time.  "We  do 
now  jointly  j:>ray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  send  forth 
more  laborers  into  His  vineyard,  that  His  great  work 
may  be  accomplished  among  the  sons  of  Africa. 
N.  S.  Harris,  teacher  at  Cape  Palmas,  thus  writes : 
"  I  desire  to  tell  of  a  great  work  which  is  carried  on 
in  this  part  of  Africa.  At  Cape  Palmas,  my  place  of 
residence,  there  were  missionaries  at  first,  but  the  na- 
tives did  not  receive  their  message  for  a  long  time, 
until  they  either  died,  or  went  away  entirely  from 
them,  and  there  was  very  little  work  of  Christ  carried 
on  among  them.  Thus,  in  this  deplorable  condition, 
the  people  were  left  until  1852,  when  I  was  sent  to 
them  as  a  teacher.  Looking  upon  the  condition  of  the 
people,  and  none  residing  among  them  to  teach  them 
the  way  of  life,  I  considered  mj^self  as  the  only  person 
sent  by  God,  to  break  the  bread  of  life  to  these  dying 
people.     So  I  commenced  laboring  among  them. 

"At  first  my  words  to  them  are  as  a  tale,  and  they 
even  went  so  far  as  calling  them  fables — so  blind  were 
they  in  things  pertaining  to  their  everlasting  peace. 
In  this  state  of  things,  I  continued  to  labor,  explaining 
that  this  word  is  not  fables,  as  they  suppose,  but  the 
word  of  the  great  God,  showing  them  their  great  error 
in  believing  in  gree-grees  and  devil-doctors.  And  now 
these  very  people,  who  were  so  hard,  that  it  seemed 
nothing  would  affect  them,  are  affected  by  the  Gospel 
of  Christ  the  Lord.     They,  instead  of  violating  the 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  203 

holy  Sabbath,  have  passed  a  law  that  it  should  be  ob- 
served. The  house  of  God,  which  was  attended  by 
few,  is  now  crowded.  Our  usual  prayer,  which  was 
never  attended  by  any  except  the  scholars,  is  now 
attended  by  the  heathen  morning  and  evening.  The 
night-school,  which  was  never  attended  formerly,  but 
on  condition  of  their  receiving  pay,  is  now  attended 
by  the  number  of  about  two  hundred. 

"  Now,  brethren,  think  of  these  things  that  I  write 
to  you,  and  remember  that  you  are  still  called  to  this 
country ;  your  assistance  is  yet  needed,  that  the  cause 
of  Christ  may  go  forward  more  than  ever ;  which  is 
the  desire  of  your  Christian  friends." 

H.  Humphreys,  teacher  at  Taboo,  thus  writes : 

u August  14:th,  1855. — I  address  these  few  lines  to 
let  you  know  about  the  great  change  which  is  taking 
place  here  among  our  country  people.  The  mission- 
aries have  been  here  for  a  long  time,  and  they  have 
been  trying  to  labor  here  as  hard  as  they  can,  and  not 
only  so,  but  they  have  suffered  and  died  also,  and  some 
of  them  have  returned  again  to  their  native  country. 
But  now  we  do  see  that  the  Spirit  of  God  is  working 
among  some  of  them,  and  they  see  that  gree-grees  and 
their  country  doctors  are  all  liars.  And  some  of  them 
are  forsaking  their  gree-grees,  and  even  doctors  leave 
their  lying,  and  now  turn  to  be  preachers  of  the  Gos- 
pel of  Christ. 

"  O  dear  friends !  I  pray  you  come  out  and  help 
us,  for  the  harvest  is  great,  but  the  laborers  are  few, 
and  therefore  I  pray  you  to  come  and  help  u^,  that  we 
may  work  together  in  the  Lord's  harvest.  We  have, 
indeed,  some  native  preachers,  who  arc  trying  now  to 


204  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFHICA. 

preach  the  true  riches  of  Christ,  and  not  only  they, 
but  many  -of  us,  too,  who  are  not  preachers,  are  trying 
to  do  so.  But  we  pray  you  to  come  out,  for  our  mis- 
sionaries are  only  three,  and  we  are  so  many.  There- 
fore, we  desire  some  new  missionaries  to  come  out, 
that  they  may  teach  us,  so  we  will  teach  our  country 
people  also. 

"Dear  friends,  perhaps  you  may  say  some  of  us 
went  there  and  died ;  but,  friends,  you  may  remember 
Jesus  has  said :  '  He  that  seeketh  his  life  shall  lose  it, 
but  he  that  loseth  his  life  for  my  sake,  shall  save  it.' 
And  again,  when  Christ  was  sending  out  His  twelve 
apostles,  He  said :  '  He  that  loveth  father  or  mother 
more  than  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me :  he  that  loveth 
son  or  daughter  more  than  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me.' 
O  dear  Christian  friends  !  please  come  out  to  our  help, 
that  we  may  go  together  and  teach  our  countrymen." 

Samuel  Boyd,  teacher  at  Fishtown,  thus  writes : 

"August  14:th,  1855. — The  loss  of  Mr.  E.  Smith  was 
much  regretted.  I  was  struck  with  these  feelings. 
Now  it  is  high  time  for  us  to  put  forth  all  our  strength 
to  do  our  Master's  work.  Must  I  do  it  with  my  own 
power  ?  Nay,  for  there  is  no  strength  within  me. 
Therefore,  I  gave  myself  up  to  prayer.  With  these 
feelings,  many  days  elapsed  before  our  examination 
arrived.  I  then  with  my  scholars  proceeded  to  Eock- 
town.  At  the  close  of  the  examination,  Bishop  Payne 
preached.  In  his  preaching  he  said :  '  Put  forth  all 
your  strength  ;  put  away  your  idleness.  Behold,  now 
ye  are  called  by  God  to  do  His  work.  The  missionaries 
are  called  away.' 

"Also,  with  these  words,  I  with  my  scholars.     I 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  205 

then  found  out  my  error  in  laying  this  work  only  on 
the  white  missionaries.  Prayer  then  was  my  chief 
delight,  to  obtain  an  assistance  from  the  throne  of 
grace,  that  I  might  be  enabled  to  go  at  this  work, 
which  I  hope  was  answered  by  Him,  who  rules  the 
lit  ;irts  of  men.  I  then  felt  the  strength  of  God  within 
me,  which  enabled  me  to  go  and  proclaim  this  blessed 
truth  to  my  people  with  faithfulness.  I  am  in  the 
habit  of  making  frequent  visits  to  the  sick,  poor,  and 
blind,  instructing  them  in  the  way  of  God  and  of  their 
Saviour.  As  I  am  among  them,  going  from  town  to 
town,  and  asking  them  to  turn  to  God  as  their  Father, 
and  to  observe  His  Sabbath-da}^,  they  all  seem  to  like 
it  well.  How  came  the  people  to  agree  to  observe  the 
Sabbath,  is  no  doubt  the  work  of  God.  For,  by  keep- 
ing the  Sabbath  and  receiving  instruction,  some  have 
given  up  their  idols.  I  first  commenced  with  each 
individual,  and  their  principal  men  and  kroomen. 
After  I  got  the  consent  of  each,  I  then  went  and  beat 
the  public  drum,  and  all  were  assembled.  I  then  gave 
my  reason  for  beating  the  drum.  And  old  Hyano,  the 
governor,  said,  '  Hear  ye,  my  people:  the  Sabbath 
from  this  time  henceforth  is  to  be  kept  by  us:'  ami 
now  the  Sabbath  is  kept  by  the  people.  At  our  pub- 
lic meetings,  two  or  three  hundred  generally  attend, 
besides  the  services  of  the  week. 

"  The  people  indeed  want  instructors.  I  consider 
myself  as  an  unworthy  servant.  I  deserve  nothing 
but  everlasting  wrath.  I  am  willing,  by  God's  help, 
to  do  His  will  unto  my  life's  end.  May  the  Lord  Mess 
US,  ami  give  us  His  Holy  Spirit,  to  enlighten  our 
minds,  and  strengthen  us  to  do  Mis  will.     Amen." 


206  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

The  native  deacon  at  Cavalla  reports  as  follows  : 

"August  23d,  1855. — Much  has  been  said  in  connec- 
tion with  the  subject  before  me,  to  encourage  Christian 
friends  to  come  over  for  our  help  ;  it  is  not  necessary 
for  me  to  go  on  enumerating  my  labors  among  these 
people. 

"  Your  missionary  brethren  continually  set  before 
you  their  efforts  here  in  Africa — how  they  labor  night 
and  day,  in  season  and  out  of  season ;  what  encourage- 
ments, and  what  trials  they  have  ;  how  many  receive 
their  message,  and  are  admitted  into  the  Church  of 
Christ.  All  these  they  do  to  encourage  you  for  their 
help.  They  have  set  before  you  the  vastness  of  the 
field,  and  the  few  that  are  engaged  in  it,  and  they  have 
called  you  by  the  words  of  your  Saviour. 

"  Truly,  truly,  the  harvest  is  great,  but  the  laborers 
are  few.  Even  when  native  teachers  and  ministers 
are  added  to  the  number  of  the  missionaries,  the  num- 
ber is  still  small  compared  to  the  field.  Therefore,  we 
still  call  upon  you.  It  is  not  to  ease  our  burden  that 
we  call  upon  you.  No  ;  but  that  the  cause  of  Christ 
may  go  forward.  We  have  greater  encouragement  in 
our  labors  among  the  people  than  we  ever  have  had  : 
but  the  more  encouragement  we  have,  the  more  desire 
for  more  labor,  and  therefore  we  call  upon  you  to  come 
over  and  help  us  in  the  great  work. 

"  I  call  upon  you  by  your  most  holy  name,  by  your 
profession,  by  your  God,  by  your  Saviour,  and  by  the 
Holy  Spirit,  I  entreat  and  call  upon  you  to  come  over 
and  help  us.  Especially  do  I  apply  to  those  institu- 
tions for  learning,  which  are  established  in  the  land, 
from  whence  may  issue  the  streams  to  make  glad  the 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  207 

city  of  God,  and  refresh  the  whole  earth.  Your  cir- 
cumstances seem  to  be  far  different  from  those  who 
have  already  been  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and  fill 
other  important  places.  The  choice  is  still  upon  you, 
as  to  what  place  you  may  go.  Our  eyes  are  upon  you, 
the  world  looks  upon  you ;  God  the  Father,  God  the 
Son,  and  God  the  Spirit,  for  whom  we  labor,  is  still 
looking  upon  you.  As  your  coming  for  our  help  in 
this  great  work  is  our  rejoicing,  so  your  refusal  is  our 
sorrow. 

"  May  God  pour  out  His  Spirit  upon  the  Church 
abundantly,  that  all  may  strive  for  the  propagating  of 
the  Gospel." 

"  Ku  Sia,  alias  C.  F.  Jones." 


Clutjrfu   ftnutunilj. 

"If  the  Son  shall  make  you  free,  ye  shall  be  free  indeed." — John  8  :  36. 

Among  the  fifty  heathen  souls  who,  during  this 
year,  yielded  their  hearts  to  their  Saviour,  was  Seiko, 
a  little  slave-boy,  whose  touching  history  is  thus  de- 
scribed by  the  Bishop : 

"  On  Tuesday  last,  I  started  about  three  o'clock  P.M., 
to  visit  Wotte  and  Sede,  two  heathen  towns  on  the  Ca- 
valla  river.  In  making  these  missionary  journeys, 
having  no  other  means  of  conveyance,  hammocks  are 
used  to  avoid  excessive  fatigue.  At  this  season,  when 
the  people  are  generally  engaged  on  their  rice-farms, 
it  is  difficult  to  find  even  two  bearers.  On  this  ac- 
count it  was  I  accepted  the  services  of  little  Seiko  as 
one  bearer,  on  the  occasion  I  referred  to. 

"As  we  walked  along' — for  I  generally  walk  a? 
much  as  I  can — I  told  Sako  I  thought  he  was  scarcely 
large  enough  to  be  a  bearer.  He  said  this  was  true  ; 
but  '  because  we  were  going  to  preach  true  things,  he 
could  not  find  it  in  his  heart  to  refuse  to  go.' 

"  I  was  much  struck  with  this  observation  ;  for,  al- 
though he  had  been  to  me  frequently  to  say  he  was 
trying  to  become  a  Christian,  and  I  had  often  remarked 
his  interest  at  Sunday-school,  I  was  hardly  prepared 
to  find  him  so  concerned  to  spread  the  Gospel,  as  he 
now  appeared.  But  I  made  no  reply  to  his  remark, 
and  we  went  to  Wotte  to  preach. 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFKICA.  209 

"  The  attendance,  as  is  usual  here,  was  small ;  and 
I  preached,  and  concluded,  having  little  to  comfort 
me,  except  the  consciousness  of  having  delivered  the 
message  with  which  I  was  charged. 

"As  soon  as  I  had  closed  the  services,  what  was  my 
surprise  to  see  little  Salco  raising  himself  up,  and  with 
outstretched  hands,  and  a  countenance  beaming  with 
tenderness  and  love,  urging  upon  the  people  to  receive 
the  Gospel ! 

"  '  Sirs,'  he  said,  '  think  as  you  may  of  these  things, 
you  can  never  have  true  peace  until  you  shall  have 
received  them.  Your  gree-grees  and  idols,  what  are 
they  ?  Break  them  open,  and  will  you  find  any  thing 
in  them  ?  Do  they  do  any  good  ?  Are  they  not  in 
your  hand  while  you  continually  see  trouble  and  die  ? 
Cast  these  things  away,  and  turn  to  God.  Beware 
how  you  refuse  His  message  and  break  His  laws. 
God  destroyed  a  town  called  Sodom,  for  the  wicked- 
ness of  its  people.  Do  not  provoke  Him  to  punish 
you.'  With  many  such  words  did  this  boy  exhort  his 
people. 

"  I  was  astonished,  and  anxious  too ;  for  I  feared 
that  he  would  be  severely  reproved  and  scowled  down 
for  his  impertinence.  But  no ;  the  people  aroused 
themselves  from  their  listlessness,  and  every  eye  was 
fixed  upon  him,  while  one  and  another  exclaimed : 
'  J-Iya,  hanhte  ne  pede,  hanhte  ne  peek.'  Child,  you 
speak  the  truth,  you  speak  the  truth. 

"An  old  man  then  gave  an  account  of  a  service  at 
Cape  Pahnas,  at  which  llyano,  of  Cavalla,  the  old  con- 
verted demon-doctor,  had  spoken,  concluding  by  say- 


210  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

ing  that  their  idols  ivere  vanities,  and  it  would  not  be 
long  before  all  would  turn  from  them,  and  serve  God. 

"  "We  now  proceeded  to  the  second  village,  Scde. 
On  the  way,  when  I  made  allusion  to  what  had  passed, 
he  said  :  '  Once  I  was  ashamed  of  God.  I  was  afraid 
and  ashamed  to  be  seen  at  church,  but  I  have  no  fear 
now.  God  has  taken  this  away,  and  I  am  now  ready 
to  confess  Him  any  where.  In  my  heart,  I  believe  on 
Him.' 

"  '  You  once  told  me,'  I  said,  'Seiko,  that  your  mas- 
ter troubled  you  because  you  would  observe  the  Sab- 
bath.    How  is  it  now  ?' 

"  '  Do  you  remember,'  he  replied,  '  the  last  time  I 
was  at  service  in  the  evening  ?  Well,  the  next  morn- 
ing my  master  tied  me,  and  beat  me  for  it.  Here  are 
the  marks  on  my  arms  and  back.' 

"  '  Did  you  say  any  thing,  Sako  V 

"  '  No,'  he  replied  ;  '  when  he  had  beaten  me,  I  got 
up,  and  went  to  my  work  on  the  farm.' 

"Arrived  at  Sede,  I  preached,  and  here,  as  before, 
Sako  added  a  word  of  exhortation.  He  was  particu- 
larly pointed  in  exposing  the  folly  of  idols  and  gree- 
grees.  Nearly  all  present  assented  to  what  he  said, 
and  an  aged  man  appeared  to  vie  with  him  in  ridicul- 
ing the  impostures  of  the  deyabo,  (demon-doctors.) 

"  My  heart  was  encouraged  and  my  faith  strength- 
ened by  this  exhibition  of  faith  and  zeal  in  the  little 
slave-boy.  Surety,  I  thought,  '  there  is  no  restraint 
with  God  to  work  by  many  or  few' — the  old  or  young. 
So,  then,  neither  is  '  he  that  planteth  any  thing,  nei- 
ther he  that  watereth ;  but  God  that  giveth  the  in- 
crease.'    Let  me  look  more  to  God,  and  trust  in  Him.'1'1 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  211 

"Seiko  seems,"  writes  the  Bishop  some  months  later, 
"  to  continue  a  faithful  disciple  of  his  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour, but  he  has  been  sorely  tried. 

"  Some  time  since,  his  master,  learning  that  he  was 
observing  the  Sabbath  instead  of  working,  as  he  had 
ordered  him,  threatened  him  with  severe  punishment, 
Early  on  Monday  morning,  Sako  hastened  to  do  the 
work  winch  he  had  been  ordered  to  do  on  the  Sab- 
bath ;  but  this  did  not  satisfy  his  master.  He  sent 
one  of  his  sons  to  catch  him.  Sako  fled  to  the  Mis- 
sion-house. A  relative,  living  in  the  Christian  village, 
went  to  endeavor  to  appease  the  master,  and  even 
offered  to  pay  the  value  of  the  boy,  to  get  him  free. 
But  this  only  enraged  the  man.  He  said  no  sum  of 
money  could  induce  him  to  sell  the  boy,  and  that  he 
should  never  be  a  Christian  ;  he  would  kill  him  before 
he  would  allow  this.  He  had  bought  him  to  do  work, 
not  to  be  a  Christian. 

"  Finding  the  master  was  in  such  a  temper,  the  poor 
slave-boy,  trembling,  was  sent  to  town,  by  an  influen- 
tial friend,  to  his  master.  He  was  reminded  of  what 
he  had  been  before  often  told,  that  those  who  would 
serve  God  in  this  world  must  suffer  tribulation,  and 
exhorted,  at  the  peril  of  his  life,  not  to  break  God's 
law.  His  master  could  not  be  changed ;  and  on  the 
following  day,  one  of  his  sons  gave  the  boy  a  severe 
beating ;  and  he  was  told  on  no  account  to  be  seen  on 
the  mission  premises  again.  Some  days  afterwards, 
Salco  was  seen  bearing  upon  his  flesh  the  marks  of 
cruelty.  But  he  appears  unmoved,  and  still  attends 
religious  services,  and  school  in  town,  as  often  as  he 
can  do  so.     When  beaten  by  his  master  for  giving  up 


212  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

his  work  on  Sunday,  he  often  goes  to  the  Bishop  for 
sympathy ;  and  at  such  times,  instead  of  speaking 
harshly  of  his  cruel  master,  he  speaks  of  him  in  terms 
of  pity,  and  says :  '  Oh !  that  he  could  see  as  I  see  ; 
but  he  can  not.'  " 

About  this  time,  a  case  of  conversion  occurred  at 
Cape  Palmas,  which  deserves  a  particular  notice.  It 
was  that  of  an  old  demon-woman,  one  of  the  class  of 
people  who  profess  to  foresee  future  events,  and  to  be 
able  to  protect  their  people  from  evils  with  which  they 
may  be  threatened,  and  to  give  them  success  in  all 
their  undertakings,  by  means  of  gree-grees,  or  charms. 

Until  a  few  months  since,  old  Mlede  (for  so  she  is 
called)  was  ignorant  of  the  way  of  salvation.  When 
she  heard  the  Gospel,  she  was  convicted  of  sin,  and 
began  to  inquire  what  she  must  do  to  be  saved.  She 
soon  saw  that  it  was  her  duty  to  renounce  her  lying 
practices,  and  give  up  her  gree-grees.  To  do  this  re- 
quired  in  her  case  more  sacrifice  than  the  followers  of 
Jesus  are  often  called  to  endure.  She  was  very  old, 
and  nearly  blind,  and  there  seemed  to  her  no  way  of 
being  supported  when  her  lucrative  profession  should 
be  abandoned — her  friends  being  very  much  opposed 
to  her  taking  the  step,  and  consequently  little  disposed 
to  contribute  to  her  support ;  and  from  the  most  of 
her  people  she  could  expect  little  besides  reproach  and 
ridicule.  Nor  could  she  be  free  from  the  fear  of  poi- 
son at  the  hands  of  those  who  had  been  associated 
with  her  in  her  lying  practices. 

She  became  a  regular  attendant  at  church,  and  al- 
ways an  eager  listener  to  the  preached  word  ;  but  on 
one  Sabbath  afternoon,  much  to  our  surprise,  she  was 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  213 

not  in  her  accustomed  scat  in  the  native  chapel.  Near- 
ly a  week  previous,  she  had  called  at  the  Orphan  Asy- 
lum, to  tell  us  that  she  was  going  on  a  visit,  or,  as  she 
expressed  it,  "  going  stranger,"  for  a  few  days,  to  a 
neighboring  town  ;  but  we  had  heard  of  her  safe  re- 
turn. Fearing  that  she  might  be  sick,  we  called  at  her 
hut  as  we  returned  from  the  chapel. 

We  found  her  sitting  in  front  of  her  house,  with 
two  strange  women.  Her  face  wore  a  troubled  and 
rather  resentful  expression,  such  as  we  had  never  be- 
fore observed  in  her  ;  and  she  did  not  smile  or  stretch 
out  her  hand  as  usual  when  we  approached,  but  handed 
us  stools  in  silence.     We  inquired  if  she  was  sick. 

"  No,"  she  replied. 

"  What,  then,  is  the  matter  ?"  we  asked.  "Are  any 
of  your  friends  dead,  Mlede  V 

"  No,  me  no  be  sick.  Me  be  angry  too  much  ;  my 
heart  burn  plenty." 

"  Who  has  made  you  angry?" 

"  Me  be  angry  with  you  plenty.  My  country  people 
say  you  make  fool  of  Mlede — my  people  come  tell  me, 
when  I  go  stranger,  God-man  take  my  name  in  church, 
say  to  all  people,  ' Mlede  throw  away  gree-grees,  be- 
cause she  no  have  sense  to  make  witch  proper  fashion.' 
My  country  people  ask  me  why  I  no  drive  you  away 
from  my  house,  like  Tode  and  Wede,  when  you  go  to 
talk  God-palaver  to  them.  Why  you  do  this  bad  thing 
to  me?" 

For  a  moment,  surprise  Kept  us  silent. 

"  Why  you  treat  me  this  bad  fashion?"  she  agaiu 
asked,  in  a  pitiful  tone.  "  Do  you  wish  to  make  my 
people  angry,  make  'cm  take  my  life  ?" 


21-1  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

We  told  lier  that  some  of  lier  people  had  been  tell 
ing  her  lies  to  tease  her — that  no  one  had  mentioned 
her  name  disrespectfully,  but  that,  on  the  contrary, 
she  had  been  alluded  to,  in  the  thanksgiving  services, 
as  a  monument  of  Grod's  mercy  ;  and  that  we  wished 
Tode  and  Wede,  and  all  the  demon- women,  and  men 
too,  were  as  highly  favored  as  she  had  been,  in  being 
led  to  feel  her  sins. 

She  seemed  quite  pacified  when  she  heard  this  ex- 
planation, and  replied  :  "  You  speak  true — my  country 
people  tell  lies  plenty." 

"She  then  expressed  her  regret  that  she  had  ab- 
sented herself  from  church,  and  begged  us  to  repeat 
*'  some  of  the  word"  that  had  been  preached  that  after- 
noon. 

After  we  had  satisfied  her,  we  asked  her  if  she  had 
felt  like  giving  up  God,  and  going  back  to  gree-grees 
again,  when  she  thought  we  had  injured  her. 

"  No,"  she  replied,  "  me  no  feel  that  way — me  no 
want  ever  to  go  back  to  devil  side.  Me  feel  this  way, 
same  like  a  man  who  go  down  to  sea  to  wash — long 
time  he  stand  look  at  the  water — say  wind  blow  cold 
too  much — shiver,  shiver — turn  away — go  back  again 
— put  one  foot  in  water — soon  water  no  feel  cold — then 
he  say,  Now  me  in,  me  wash  clean.  So  with  me.  Long 
time  me  look  at  gree-grees.  Say,  Me  can't  give  'em 
up — be  too  hard.  Then  me  pray,  Nyesoa,  help  me. 
Then  He  help  me  give  'em  up — gree-gree  be  gone — all 
nothing — now  me  live  all  time  for  God's  side." 

From  this  time  forth,  Mlede  became  settled  in  her 
mind,  and  her  interest  in  spiritual  things  rapidly  in- 
creased.    Not  many  weeks  elapsed  before  she  said  to 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  215 

the  missionary  in  charge  of  the  station  :  "Me  be  ready 
to  follow  Jesus,  who  died  for  me" 

Having  given  abundant  evidence  of  a  renewed  heart, 
in  the  midst  of  a  large  and  attentive  congregation  at 
the  native  chapel,  she  was  received  into  the  visible 
church  of  Christ.  She  trembled  excessively  as  she 
walked  forward  with  her  sponsors ;  but  her  courage 
revived,  and  she  took  the  vows  upon  her  (in  the  Grebo 
lauguage)  with  an  unfaltering  voice  and  glad  counte- 
nance. At  the  conclusion  of  the  rite,  she  turned  to 
the  minister,  and  said,  with  touching  simplicity  :  uBi- 
simle"  (I  thank  you.) 

From  that  day  forward,  her  walk  has  ever  been  that 
of  an  humble  and  consistent  follower  of  Jesus.  When 
recently  on  a  long  visit  in  the  interior,  she  took  the 
precaution  to  make  a  notch,  for  every  day  she  was  ab- 
sent, on  a  stick,  so  that  she  might  always  know  when 
the  Lord's  day  came  ;  and  there,  surrounded  by  those 
who  were  ignorant  of  His  name,  she  refrained  from 
work,  and  worshipped  alone  the  Saviour  of  her  soul. 

Another  demon-man  at  Taboo,  and  a  candidate  for 
that  office  at  Cavalla,  were  baptized  by  the  Bishop 
about  this  time.  The  latter  is  a  leper,  and  was  per- 
suaded to  become  a  deyd,  or  demon-man,  in  order  to 
appease  the  Jcu,  or  spirit  that  caused  his  disease.  When 
Christ  was  first  preached  to  him,  he  rejected  Him  with 
scorn,  and  asserted  that  the  devil  was  more  powerful 
than  God.  But  gradually,  through  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  the  truth  made  an  entrance  into  his  heart, 
and  after  a  few  months  he  threw  off  the  badge  of  his 
profession,  gave  up  one  of  his  two  wives,  and  enlisted 
as  a  soldier  of  Christ. 


216  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

Thus,  within  the  space  of  three  years,  one  demon- 
woman,  two  demon-men,  and  one  candidate  for  that 
office,  were  baptized,  and  by  their  example,  as  well  as 
labors,  are  doing  much  towards  convincing  their  de- 
luded countrymen  of  the  folly  of  the  gree-gree  system. 
The  missionaries  are  having  more  and  more  reason  to 
believe  that  the  Grebo,  and  perhaps  the  Babo  and  Plabo 
tribes,  will  at  no  distant  day  be  prepared  to  "  cast  their 
idols  to  the  moles  and  the  bats." 

Near  the  close  of  this  year,  John  "W".  Hutchins,  a 
Babo  young  man,  who  had  been  educated  in  one  of  the 
Mission  schools,  expressed  a  desire  to  return  to  his 
own  people,  and  teach  them  the  way  of  salvation. 
The  Bishop  approving  of  his  desire,  he  was  placed  in 
charge  of  a  new  station  on  the  Cavalla  river,  ten  miles 
from  its  mouth,  called,  in  honor  of  the  missionary  who 
was  chiefly  instrumental  in  leading  him  to  Christ, 
"  Hening  Station." 

He  entered  upon  his  duties  in  September,  and  at  the 
Christmas  Convocation  made  the  following  report : 

"  I  am  happy  to  tell  you  something  of  the  people 
among  whom  I  dwell.  It  is  true  they  observe  the 
Sabbath,  but  not  in  the  manner  taught  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures.  On  Sunday,  I  teach  in  two  towns,  and  on 
one  other  day  in  the  week.  They  have  promised  that 
they  will  observe  the  Sabbath  when  they  cut  their 
farms.  I  have  Sunday-school  on  every  Sunday  even- 
ing, and  on  Monday  I  speak  in  two  villages,  about  ten 
miles  off,  according  to  my  calculation.  During  the 
week,  I  have  school  in  the  morning,  which  continues 
about  an  hour  and  a  half.  As  there  is  no  boarding- 
school  yet,  much  has  not  been  accomplished ;  but  I 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  217 

hope  the  time  will  soon  come  when  much  will  be 
clone  in  teaching. 

"  Thus  far  I  have  told  you  of  what  I  am  doing ;  but 
permit  me  to  say  a  few  words  to  you  who  were  once 
heathen. 

"  My  friends,  I  find  that  (his  ivork  is  for  us.  As  we 
have  received  the  Gospel,  so  let  us  to  others  impart  it, 
in  order  that  they  may  believe  and  be  saved.  I  would, 
in  the  words  of  the  Apostle,  say  to  you,  that  '  we  are 
debtors  both  to  the  Greeks  and  to  the  Barbarians,  both 
to  the  wise  and  unwise.'  Now  let  me  ask,  What  does  he 
mean  by  saying  this  ?  I  think  this  is  what  he  means, 
that  he  was  bound  to  do  every  thing  which  would  be 
the  means  of  bringing  others  to  receive  the  Gospel." 

At  Eocktown  and  Fishtown  stations,  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Hoffman  was  greatly  encouraged  in  his  labors.  In 
his  journal  for  the  month  of  August,  he  wrote  : 

"  Eemarkable  is  the  interest  which  the  people  now 
evince  in  the  subject  of  religion.  I  never  visit  their 
towns  without  feeling  thankful  that  God  has  called  me 
to  preach  to  them  the  blessed  Gospel.  Their  serious 
attention  and  conversation  show  a  degree  of  interest 
never  known  before. 

"  Our  native  Christian  youth  seem  animated  with 
earnest  desires  to  impart  truth  to  their  people.  One 
wrote  me  a  few  days  since :  '  Please  give  me  some 
work  to  do  for  God.'  Another,  this  night,  writes  me  : 
'  I  wish  very  much  that  I  may  go  to  my  country,  to 
teach  our  native  boys.  I  have  thought  of  this  long. 
Now,  I  think  God  has  called  me  to  this  work.  They 
have  no  body  to  teach  them.  If  I  go  to  my  country, 
10 


218  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

I  think  I  may  do  much  for  them — not  by  my  power, 
but  by  the  power  of  God.' 

"Ona  recent  visit  to  Middletown,  as  I  was  closing 
my  discourse  to  the  natives,  two  of  our  Christian 
youth  from  Fishtown  arrived  at  the  place  ;  they  had 
come,  of  their  own  accord,  to  endeavor  to  induce  the 
people  to  observe  the  Sabbath.  My  assistant,  Bedell, 
remained  with  them,  to  advocate  the  cause ;  and  al- 
though no  law  was  passed,  yet  the  Sabbath,  by  general 
consent,  was  thenceforth  to  be  observed ;  and  from 
that  time,  service  has  been  held  there  on  the  Sabbath, 
one  or  two  of  our  Christian  youths  going  on  that  day 
to  instruct  the  people. 

"  More  pleasing  still  is  the  interest  at  Fishtown, 
from  the  fact  that  a  native  teacher  is  the  instrument 
of  the  awakening.  He  daily  meets  the  people  for  in- 
struction. A  law  has  been  passed,  requiring  the  Sab- 
bath to  be  observed.  No  one  goes  to  fish  on  that  day. 
Beneath  the  spreading  branches  of  a  grove  of  trees  the 
people  assemble  morning  and  afternoon,  when  service 
is  read  and  instruction  given  by  a  native  Christian 
youth.  The  account  which  he  gives  of  the  meeting  in 
which  the  matter  of  the  Sabbath  was  considered,  is 
interesting.  He  says  :  '  On  the  day  appointed  for  the 
consideration  of  this  law,  with  T.  L.  Chandler  and 
others,  we  proceeded  to  the  large  town ;  and  having 
called  all  the  people  by  the  sound  of  the  town  drum, 
I  arose  and  said  to  them :  "  Hear  ye,  my  people !  God 
requires  you  to  keep  the  Sabbath  holy.  He  will  bless 
those  nations  who  will  obey  his  commands.  You  have 
neglected  his  warnings  by  the  missionaries  ;  now  it  is 
high  time  to  wake  up  from  your  sleep."     Then  the 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  219 

Governor  addressed  them :  "  Ye  my  people,  the  Sab- 
bath must  be  kept  by  all  of  you.  Men,  women,  and 
children !  from  henceforth  no  one  is  permitted  to  go 
out  fishing,  to  go  to  his  farm,  to  go  stranger,  (that  is, 
visit  other  towns,)  or  to  do  any  other  business  on  the 
Sabbath."  Then  all  gave  their  consent.  At  the  con- 
clusion of  the  afternoon  service,  one  of  the  head-men, 
the  judge  or  lawyer  of  the  town — one  of  the  most  in- 
fluential persons — thus  addressed  the  people  :  "  Peo- 
ple, see  how  pleasant  it  is  to  keep  the  Sabbath  !  Our 
Governor  is  an  old  man ;  he  wishes  us  to  keep  the 
Sabbath  truly,  as  long  as  we  can  get  a  person  to  preach 
to  us.  See  how  some  of  the  Greboes  have  given  up 
their  gree-grees,  and  keep  the  Sabbath,  (referring  to  the 
converts  at  Ca valla ;)  shall  we  not  do  the  same  ?" 
And  he  turned  to  the  Christian  youth,  and  said : 
"  You  have  heard  how  I  addressed  the  people.  Now 
you  are  our  example.  If  you  get  weak  concerning 
this  matter,  we  also  will  get  weak ;  but  if  you  will 
encourage  us,  we  also  will  be  very  happy  and  willing 
to  hear  your  preaching.  It  is  a  law  that  the  Sabbath 
must  be  kept.  These  are  our  Governor's  words.  You 
are  constantly  talking  to  us  of  this  matter,  which  we 
will  do."  So  the  meeting  closed.  May  the  Lord  help 
our  people  to  do  His  will ! ' 

"Almost  every  week  brings  some  pleasing  account 
of  the  people  forsaking  their  idols  and  turning  to  the 
Lord.  For  instance,  I  received  the  following :  '  The 
people  attended  church  yesterday  as  usual.  With 
much  surprise,  this  morning,  a  man,  who  was  at  my 
house  on  Sunday,  (with  whom  I  held  a  conversation 
on  the  subject  of  our  country  doctors,  and  their  super- 


220  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

stitious  vanities  of  gree-grees,)  came  with  his  gree-grees 
in  his  hands,  and  said :  "  Boyd,  you  may  do  with  them 
what  you  please.  I  have  no  others  but  these,  (nine  in 
number.)  I  am  very  sorry  indeed  that  I  have  spent 
my  money  for  that  which  is  nothing."  ' 

"  Under  date  of  August  13,  we  have  the  following  : 
'  The  people  have  again  thrown  down  one  of  the  devil- 
doctors  in  the  sea  this  morning,  and  charged  him  not 
to  make  any  more  gree-grees  •  but  he  has  the  liberty  of 
getting  medicines  from  the  bush,  to  cure  people  with. 
Oh !  it  is  so  pleasing  to  hear  of  nothing  but  casting 
away  their  gree-grees  talked  of.  Old  and  young,  and 
even  doctors  themselves,  are  now  thinking  it  time  to 
give  up  these  idols.' 

"  Under  date  of  August  5,  he  writes  : 

"  '  Sunday. — Our  service  this  morning  consisted  of 
two  hundred  persons,  men,  women,  and  children ;  all 
were  very  attentive.  One  of  the  congregation  called 
upon  me,  to  come  for  his  gree-grees.  On  entering  his 
house,  he  said  :  "  Here  are  my  gree-grees.  I  have  felt 
the  vanity  of  them.  I  will  have  nothing  more  to  do 
with  them.     I  will  live  for  God." 

"  '  Sept.  9th. — Baptized  this  morning  three  school- 
boys, Alonzo  Potter,  George  M.  Randall,  and  E.  W. 
Hening,  with  a  native  youth  from  the  heathen  town, 
whom  I  called  "  George."  These  all  gave  most  de- 
lightful evidence  of  the  renewal  of  the  heart  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  they  are  a  source  of  comfort  and  joy 
to  my  soul. 

UiSept.  11th. — Blessed  be  God!  three  native  men 
have  expressed  to  me  a  desire  for  baptism.  They  pro- 
videntially met  in  my  study  this  morning,  and  I  talked 


BAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA.  221 

and  prayed  with  them.  One  is  the  son  of  the  head- 
man of  the  town.  He  has  three  wives,  bnt  heartily 
assures  me  of  his  readiness  to  relinquish  two,  and  join 
the  people  of  God.  Polygamy  is  a  powerful  obstacle 
to  the  spread  of  the  Gospel,  but  not  too  powerful  for 
grace  to  overcome. 

11  'Accidentally  saw  a  note  from  a  school-boy  at  Ca- 
valla,  asking  the  prayerg  of  one  of  the  boys  who  were 
baptized  last  Sunday,  and  congratulating  him  on  his 
being  a  Christian.'  " 

On  the  sixth  of  this  month,  Mr.  Hoffman  wrote : 

"  I  have  proposed  to  our  native  Christians  at  this 
station,  and  at  Fishtown,  to  aid  in  the  support  of  I. 
W.  Hutchins,  a  native  youth,  who  leaves  this  station 
next  week,  to  labor  among  his  own  people  on  the  Ca- 
valla  river,  and  they  cheerfully  responded.  One  youth, 
a  school-boy,  not  receiving  any  salary,  went  to  the 
bush  and  gathered  a  bundle  of  rattans,  which  he  split 
and  offered  for  sale,  and  gave  the  proceeds  (nine  cents) 
for  the  work.  And  a  poor  blind  boy,  who  receives 
but  six  shillings  a  month,  wanted  to  give  a  portion  of 
this  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel." 

In  his  review  for  this  year,  the  Bishop  writes  as 
follows : 

"  It  is  just  nineteen  years  this  Christmas-day  since 
the  Kev.  Dr.  Savage  formally  opened  the  Mission  at 
Mt.  Vaughan,  in  the  only  building  connected  with  it, 
and  this  but  half  finished. 

"  On  that  clay,  only  about  half  a  dozen  communi- 
cants, if  so  many,  were  in  connection  with  the  Episco- 
pal Church.  Since  then,  '  through  the  good  hand  of 
our  God  upon  us,'  the  Mission  has  established  perma- 


222  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

nent  stations,  of  greater  or  less  efficiency,  at  fourteen 
different  places  among  colonists  and  natives. 

"  It  has  expended  for  churches,  mission-houses,  and 
school-houses,  a  sum  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars.  In  the  day  and  boarding-schools  sus- 
tained by  it,  not  fewer  than  three  thousand  children 
and  adults  have  received  the  rudiments  of  a  Christian 
education.  From  six,  the  communicants,  partly  now 
living,  partly  dead,  foreign,  colonist,  and  native,  have 
numbered  at  least  three  hundred.  The  number  at  the 
present  time  is  two  hundred  and  forty-one.  The  blessed 
Gospel  is  preached  regularly  to  four  colonist  congrega- 
tions, in  some  twenty  different  native  tribes,  and  to  a 
hundred  thousand  people. 

"  There  are  now,  including  the  Orphan  Asylum, 
seven  commodious  mission-houses — three  churches  com- 
pleted, and  a  fourth  nearly  so,  two  being  of  stone,  one 
brick,  and  one  wood ;  besides  one  very  superior  school- 
house,  and  several  more  in  different  places  for  colonists 
and  natives. 

"A  more  sufficient  cause  of  thankfulness  still,  is  to 
be  found  in  the  number  and  character  of  the  schools 
connected  with  the  Mission.  The  High  School  and 
Female  Day  School  at  Mt.  Yaughan,  the  Orphan  Asy- 
lum at  Cape  Palmas,  the  native  schools  at  Fishtown, 
Rocktown,  Cape  Palmas,  Cavalla,  Hening  Station, 
Rockbookah,  and  Taboo,  the  Boarding  and  Colonist 
Day-School  at  Bassa  Cove,  the  Female  High  School  at 
Monrovia,  and  Native  Boarding-School,  and  Colonist 
Day-School  in  Clay- Ashland,  give  evidence  of  earnest 
and  well-directed  effort  to  diffuse  Christian  instruction 
throughout  the  bounds  of  the  Mission. 


DAY  DAWN   IX  AFRICA.  223 

"And  these  institutions,  with,  the  precious  fruits 
yielded  by  them,  and  the  stations  with  which  they  are 
connected ;  the  children  and  youths  instructed ;  the 
souls  converted  to  God  ;  the  colonist  and  native  min- 
isters and  teachers  and  assistants  raised  up  ;  the  grace 
given  to  those  who  labor,  and  to  the  Church  in  the 
United  States,  which  sustains  the  laborers — all  these 
are  our  precious  Ebenezer  stones,  the  monuments  of 
God's  presence  in  the  past,  and  pledges  of  His  blessing 
in  the  future." 

In  another  communication,  on  the  first  of  January, 
1856,  after  speaking  of  fifty  adult  heathen  converts 
within  the  preceding  eight  months,  he  says : 

"  In  view  of  these,  and  other  tokens  of  the  divine 
blessing,  my  report  to  the  Board  of  Missions  and  the 
General  Convention,  which  will  soon  be  made,  can  not 
but  conspire  with  causes  elsewhere  at  work,  to  increase 
the  missionary  interest,  which,  I  trust,  ere  this  has  be- 
gun a  new  life  in  the  Church. 

"  Surely,  if  the  constant  increasing  propagation  of 
the  blessed  Gospel  amidst  sickness  and  death  ;  the  en- 
larging numbers  and  influences  of  schools  ;  the  multi- 
plication of  African  ministers  and  teachers  and  cate- 
chists,  animated  by  «the  living,  loving,  outgoing,  and 
aggressive  spirit  of  the  Master,  and  the  gathering  of 
precious  souls  into  the  fold  of  Christ,  are  proofs  that 
God  is  with  us,  are  calls  to  the  faithful  to  be  co-work- 
ers with  Him,  we  have  these  tokens  and  motives  in 
our  midst. 

"Your  missionaries  thank  God,  and  take  courage." 


Cjrspttr  $iftmti[r. 

"  As  ye  are  partakers  of  the  sufferings,  so  shall  ye  be  also  of  the 
consolation." — 2  Cor.  1  :  7. 

The  following  incidents,  culled  from  the  journals  of 
the  missionaries,  will  serve  to  give  an  insight  into  the 
nature  of  their  work,  its  lights  and  shadows,  its  com- 
forts and  discouragements,  its  trials  and  its  blessings. 

"Oct.  1st. — Three  of  the  school-boys,"  writes  Mr. 
Hoffman,  "  came  this  evening  to  tell  me  that  they 
trusted  God  had  sent  His  Spirit  and  renewed  their 
hearts,  and  that  they  wanted  to  be  baptized.  I  was 
cheered  by  their  coming,  and  conversed  and  prayed 
with  them. 

"Oct.  14$,. — Baptized  this  morning  at  seven  o'clock, 
in  the  church,  two  of  the  school-boys  referred  to  on 
the  first  inst.  In  the  afternoon  went  to  Fishtown  and 
baptized  a  native.  The  baptism  took  place  in  the 
midst  of  a  large  collection  of  his  people,  beneath  the 
trees,  the  usual  place  of  assembling  for  service.  Re- 
turned and  preached  at  night  at  Rocktown. 

"While  God  thus  calls  one  and  another  into  his 
kingdom,  the  Prince  of  Darkness  still  rules  among 
the  people.  This  day  was  appointed  by  them,  as  one 
on  which  a  sacrifice  was  to  be  made  to  'Cb£e,'  the  devil 
of  the  rocks,  for  a  plentiful  harvest.  Against  this 
wickedness  I  testified,  and  solemnly  warned  the  peo- 


\ 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFEICA.  225 

pie,  and  called  on  them  to  unite  with  us,  on  the  follow- 
ing Tuesday,  in  giving  thanks  to  the  great  and  living 
God. 

"Sunday,  21st. — No  one  in  the  church  this  morning 
from  the  town  but  a  blind  man  and  a  few  children. 
This  was  owing  to  two  reasons — one  was,  that  the 
bell,  usually  sent  by  a  school-boy  to  be  rung  in  two 
of  the  towns,  was  not  rung  there  this  morning ;  and 
the  other  reason  was,  that  the  soldiers  were  engaged 
in  giving  sassa-wood  to  Torobo,  (the  town  prince,)  the 
man  who  some  weeks  since  took  refuge  from  the  sol- 
diers in  the  mission-house.  In  order  to  clear  his  cha- 
racter, and  prove  his  innocence  of  the  crime  of  witch- 
craft, he  had  twice  drank  sassa-wood  of  his  own  accord 
at  Middletown,  whither  he  had  fled ;  he  now  returned 
with  a  proud  heart,  and  called  the  people  to  witness  to 
his  innocence. 

"When  I  heard  of  this,  just  at  church-time,  I  sent 
Bedell  to  expostulate,  and  beg  of  them,  in  my  name, 
to  observe  the  Sabbath.  They  refused  ;  the  town  was 
full,  but  the  church  empty.  We  were  sitting  at  din- 
ner, when  we  heard  the  bitter  cries  of  a  woman,  as  she 
was  hastening  to  a  town  beyond  us.  What  we 
thought  might  have  occurred,  had  happened.  Torobo 
had  drank  the  sassa-wood,  and  it  had  killed  him.  We 
could  not  but  exclaim  :  '  Is  not  this  the  hand  of  God?' 
This  man  had  been  solemnly  warned  ;  the  wickedness 
of  his  having  gree-grees  had  been  shown  him,  and 
acknowledged  by  him,  and  yet,  though  perfectly  well 
aware  of  the  sacredness  of  the  Sabbath,  he  polluted  it 
by  coming  to  drink  sassa-wood  on  it.  He  was  in  the 
prime  of  life,  had  eight  wives  and  eighteen  children. 


226  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

"  On  Sunday,  the  23d  of  December,  the  services  of 
the  Convocation  commenced  at  Cape  Palmas. 

"In  the  morning  the  Bishop  preached,  and  con- 
firmed fifteen  persons,  three  of  whom  were  natives — 
a  man,  a  woman,  and  a  youth.  The  woman,  MUde, 
was  a  deya,  or  doctress.  When  the  Bishop  laid  his 
hands  on  her  head,  and  made  the  prayer  in  Grebo,  in 
the  fullness  of  her  heart  she  replied,  'Nd-mro,'  I  thank 
you. 

"In  the  afternoon,  the  Eev.  G.  W.  Gibson  was  or- 
dained priest.  The  candidate  was  presented  by  Eev. 
H.  E.  Scott,  who,  with  Eev.  Mr.  Eambo  and  myself, 
united  in  imposition  of  hands. 

"  In  the  evening  was  held  the  missionary  meeting. 

"Christmas. — Services  were  held  at  St.  Mark's. 
Eev.  Mr.  Eambo  preached  in  the  morning.  In  the 
afternoon  there  was  a  Sunday-school  celebration  of  the 
St.  Mark's  and  Mount  Yaughan  Sunday-schools. 
Several  addresses  were  made.  At  night,  our  conclud- 
ing services  were  held  at  St.  Mark's,  a  sermon  preached, 
and  addresses  delivered. 

"  The  church,  during  all  our  services,  was  well  filled, 
and  while  we  felt  refreshed  ourselves,  we  feel  that  they 
were  accompanied  by  the  blessing  of  our  heavenly 
Father." 

The  Eev.  H.  E.  Scott,  being  compelled  by  the  fail- 
ure of  his  health,  after  a  residence  of  three  years  in 
Africa,  to  visit  some  temperate  climate,  took  passage, 
with  Mrs.  Scott,  in  the  bark  Cora,  for  the  United 
States,  via  Eio  Janeiro,  on  the  29th  of  December. 

On  January  the  1st,  1856,  Mr.  Hoffman  wrote : 

"  The  Eev.  Mr.  Scott  and  wife  having  left  for  the 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFEICA.  227 

Uniteo.  States  on  the  29th  of  December,  -we  at  once,  by 
the  appointment  of  the  Bishop,  took  his  place,  and  en- 
tered upon  the  duties  of  the  station  at  Cape  Palmas, 
which  embrace  the  congregation  of  St.  Mark's,  the 
native  population  and  the  Orphan  Asylum,  together 
with  the  general  supervision  of  the  two  vacant  stations 
of  Eocktown  and  Fishtown.  In  a  few  days  we  were 
joined  by  Miss  Alley,  who  has  the  chief  charge  of  the 
children  of  the  Institution,  of  whom  there  are  seven- 
teen. Besides  the  boarders,  there  are  twelve  da}7-- 
scholars. 

11  Jan.  5th. — Went  as  usual  to  the  native  towns ; 
visited  a  Christian  woman  named  Mlede.  "With  her, 
in  her  hut,  was  a  child,  about  ten  years  of  age,  in  the 
last  stage  of  consumption.  I  told  her  she  should  teach 
him  what  she  knew  of  Jesus  the  Saviour,  that  he  could 
not  live  very  many  days,  and  that  she  should  teach 
him  to  pray  ;  and  she  promised  very  earnestly  that  so 
she  would  do,  and  she  did.  When  I  went  again  to  see 
her,  the  poor  child  was  dead ;  but,  said  she,  '  he  prayed 
much  to  Jesus,  as  I  taught  him.' 

"  This  woman  was  formerly  a  demon-doctress,  now 
an  humble  believer  in  the  Lord. 

"  In  another  visit,  this  afternoon,  I  met  a  very  differ- 
ent character — a  man  who  gloried  in  calling  himself  a 
1  son  of  the  devil ;'  he  said  that  the  devil  would  do 
him  good ;  and  in  the  next  world  Christians  would  be 
burned,  and  want  a  drop  of  water  to  quench  their 
thirst,  while  he,  in  happiness,  would  not  give  it. 

"February  1st. — We  commence  this  month  with  sor- 
row. Our  little  daughter,  Kate,  taken  sick  a  few  days 
ago,  this  evening  was  taken  from  us.     She  died  at 


228  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

half-past  ten  o'clock,  having  been  apparently  uncon- 
scious for  several  hours  previous  to  her  death.  She  is 
safe  arid  happy  with  Him  who  loved  her,  and  called 
her  from  the  sin  and  suffering  of  this  world.  She  was 
buried  at  Mount  Yaughan  the  next  day,  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Eambo  and  Gibson  taking  part  in  the  service. 

"Sunday,  Feb.  10th. — After  preaching  in  the  native 
chapel  to-day,  I  was  attracted  by  a  blind  woman,  who 
had  attended  services ;  she  was  returning  to  her  house, 
and  seemed  to  have  been  impressed  by  the  services. 
Speaking  to  her  of  Jesus  dying  for  her  sins,  she 
seemed  much  interested,  and  kept  repeating  the  name 
of  '  Jesus,'  and  said  she  feared  she  would  lose  His 
name.  I  asked,  '  If  one  should  restore  her  sight,  would 
she  forget  his  name  ?  Jesus  has  died  to  obtain  the  for- 
giveness of  all  your  sins,  and  make  you  happy  forever.' 
'  I  can  not  forget,'  she  said,  '  the  name  of  God's  Son, 
Jesus.'  So  desirous  of  hearing  was  she,  that  she  fol- 
lowed me  far  past  the  path  leading  to  her  house,  and 
stood  long,  talking  and  listening  to  the  word  of  God. 

"February  11th. — Went  to  see  Tide,  the  blind  woman, 
in  her  house.  She  took  my  hand  in  both  of  hers,  and 
listened  most  attentively  to  Christian  instruction. 

"April  9th. — A  battle  took  place  to-day  between  the 
Eocktown  and  Cape  Palmas  natives.  They  fought  on 
the  beach,  within  sight  of  the  Cape.  Fourteen  of  the 
Eocktown  people  were  killed,  and  about  forty  on  each 
side  wounded.  The  dead  bodies  of  the  Eocktown  peo- 
ple were  dragged  by  their  enemies  to  the  Cape,  and 
laid  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  Their  heads,  in  the 
evening  were  cut  off,  and  their  bodies  otherwise  muti- 
lated  until,   by   order  of   the   governor,   they   were 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  229 

removed.  Great  was  the  triumphing  in  the  town. 
Women  were  dancing  and  singing,  parties  were  going 
from  town  to  town  making  the  boldness  of  their  lead- 
ers known,  and  singing  their  praises. 

"April  19th. — Visited  Gola,  a  native,  who  had  been 
baptized  some  months  ago.  He  had  been  wounded  in 
the  war.  I  reminded  him  that  I  had  seen  a  gree-gree 
on  him  when  he  went  to  battle,  and  that  now  he  had 
one  on  his  wrist.  I  told  him  how  God  was  displeased 
with  this  double-dealing,  that  he  could  not  serve  God 
and  the  devil,  and  that  God  would  certainly  visit  him 
for  turning  backward  from  the  way  of  truth. 

"  He  listened  with  deep  attention,  and  then  tried  to 
untie  his  gree-gree,  which,  being  difficult,  I  took  my 
knife  and  cut  it  off.  After  more  conversation  and 
pra}^er,  I  left  him,  I  trust,  once  more  determined  to 
serve  God." 

During  the  past  few  months,  the  native  teachers 
and  candidates  for  orders,  besides  giving  instruction  in 
their  own  towns,  adopted  the  practice  of  going  on  mis- 
sionary excursions  to  the  interior -towns,  and  preaching 
the  Gospel  to  great  numbers  of  people,  who  have 
never  seen  a  foreign  missionary. 

Samuel  Boyd,  the  teacher  at  Fishtown,  in  his  report 
at  the  Christmas  Convocation,  thus  wrote  : 

"  Since  our  last  convocation,  I  have  had  the  pleasure 
of  breaking  the  bread  of  life  to  my  people,  and  to 
other  tribes.  My  first  visit  to  the  people  of  Half- 
Garroway  was  much  encouraging.  The  king  and 
principal  men  of  the  land  received  me  very  gladly, 
and  the  message  to  them  was  very  acceptable.  But 
they  mucli  regretted  to  have  their  wishes  ungratified. 


230  DAY  DAWN  IX  AFRICA. 

"  This  place  consisted  of  four  villages.  My  second, 
visit  to  them  was  the  same.  From  thence  I  proceeded 
on  my  way  to  the  interior  of  Grand  Garroway.  There 
I  found  all  people,  both  kings  and  principal  men, 
flocked  around  us,  to  hear  the  cause  of  our  coming. 
They  were  much  surprised  to  listen  to  the  strange 
news  of  the  blessed  Gospel.  This  place  consisted  of 
five  villages. 

"  My  third  visit  was  to  the  three  different  people, 
and  I  spoke  in  seventeen  towns. 

"  The  people  of  these  towns  wished  the  Gospel  to 
be  preached  to  them  constantly. 

"At  home,  I  speak  to  my  people  on  every  Sabbath. 
I  visit  and  instruct  the  poor  and  sick  in  the  way  of 
salvation  to  their  immortal  souls.  The  Sabbath-school 
is  not  neglected.  The  daily  prayer,  morning  and  even- 
ing, with  my  scholars  and  the  people  from  town,  is 
regularly  attended  to,  and  I  instruct  them  in  the  word 
of  God.  Thursday  is  our  prayer-meeting  day.  This 
also  is  attended  by  the  people  of  the  towns,  and  schol- 
ars in  the  towns  converse  with  the  people,  for  the  sal- 
vation of  their  souls." 

An  incident  occurred  about  this  time,  which  well 
illustrates  the  zeal  of  the  native  laborers.  Two  of  the 
interior  tribes  had  been  at  war  with  each  other,  and 
one  had  confined  in  stocks  for  several  months  a  number 
of  prisoners  taken  from  the  other  tribe.  All  efforts 
to  have  the  prisoners  released  having  failed,  N.  S. 
Harris,  a  native  candidate  for  orders  at  Cape  Palmas, 
and  the  native  teachers  at  Rocktown,  determined  that 
they  would  make  one  more  trial. 

When  they  arrived  at  the  town  where  the  prisoners 


DAY  DAWJST  IN  AFRICA.  231 

were  confined,  they  stated  the  object  of  their  visit ; 
and  in  a  short  time  the  people  were  summoned  by  the 
town  drum,  to  hear  what  the  strangers  had  to  say. 
Instead  of  speaking  of  the  prisoners,  however,  they 
preached  to  them  the  Gospel  of  Christ ;  and,  day  after 
day,  when  the  people  were  assembled,  by  the  drum,  to 
discuss  the  prisoners,  these  strangers  preached  to  them 
of  "Jesus  and  the  resurrection." 

At  last  the  people  became  impatient,  and  inquired 
why  the  strangers  did  not  "  talk  the  prisoner  palaver, 
instead  of  telling  them  these  strange  things  that  they 
had  never  heard  of  before  ?" 

They  replied :  "  This  is  our  way  of  talking  the 
palaver.  The  great  God  of  the  universe,  who  made 
us  and  supplies  all  our  wants,  is  a  merciful  God — so 
merciful,  that  He  gave  His  only  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  to 
die  so  we  might  not  be  punished  forever ;  and  He 
would  have  us  be  merciful,  even  as  He  is  merciful." 

They  then  exhorted  them  to  have  compassion  on 
the  prisoners,  as  God  had  had  compassion  on  them ; 
and  were  so  earnest  and  persevering  in  their  appeals, 
that,  in  a  few  days,  every  prisoner  was  released,  and 
measures  taken  to  have  all  the  difficulties  between  the 
two  tribes  amicably  settled. 

While  the  Church  was  joyfully  celebrating  the 
resurrection  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  in  March  of 
this  year,  another  member  of  the  Mission  band  was 
safely  passing  through  the  dark  valley,  which  had  been 
lighted  up  by  His  gracious  presence. 

From  the  Cavalla  Messenger  for  March,  1856,  we 
glean  the  following  particulars : 


232  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

"  In  sorrow  and  in  joy,  we  record  the  death  of  an- 
other beloved  member  of  our  Mission. 

"  On  Easter-morn,  at  nine  o'clock,  Mrs.  Virginia 
Hale  Hoffman,  wife  of  Eev.  0.  C.  Hoffman,  sweetly 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 

"  Mrs.  Hoffman  was  born  in  Glastenbury,  Connecti- 
cut, Oct.  14th,  1832  ;  was  married  in  Norfolk,  Va., 
Sept.  5th,  1850 ;  arrived  at  Cape  Palmas,  Feb.  10th, 
1851 ;  left  for  America,  on  a  visit,  Jan.  10th,  1854  ; 
returned  to  Cape  Palmas,  July  1st,  1855 ;  and  died, 
March  23d,  1856.  Not  quite  twenty-four  years,  there- 
fore, measured  the  earthly  sojourn  of  our  sister,  and 
little  more  than  five  her  missionary  career.  And  yet, 
if  'that  life  is  long  that  answers  life's  great  end,'  those 
who  knew  her  will  have  no  hesitation  in  accounting 
the  life  of  our  departed  friend  long,  as  they  will  delight 
to  treasure  the  remembrance  of  her  short  missionary 
course  as  most  honorable  and  blessed. 

"  From  the  time  of  her  conversion,  which  took  place 
not  more  than  eighteen  months  before  she  became  a 
missionary,  her  religious  views  appear  to  have  been 
peculiarly  clear,  and  her  Christian  character  most  de- 
cided. Salvation  through  faith  in  Christ  alone,  was 
her  hope  and  joy  ;  and  unwearied  consecration  of  her 
life  to  His  service,  the  standard  of  her  duty. 

"It  was  with  such  views  that  she  gave  herself,  in 
the  bloom  of  youth  and  health,  to  the  work  of  God 
in  Africa ;  and  all  who  knew  her  delight  to  testify  that 
her  views  underwent  no  change,  and  her  zeal  only 
increased  to  the  last.  And  how  peaceful,  how  blessed 
her  last  end   was,   the    following    record  from  her 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  233 

bereaved,  but,  through  faith,  rejoicing  husband  will 
show : 

"  '  She  contracted  a  cold  in  October  of  last  year,  at 
Eocktown,  which  led  to  consumption,  of  which  she 
died.  Owing  to  great  oppression,  she  was  unable  to 
lie  down  the  night  previous  to  her  death,  and  was  sup- 
ported by  pillows  in  bed  until  five  o'clock,  when  she 
sat  in  a  rocking-chair.  I  was  by  her  side,  and  re- 
peated to  her  texts  of  Scripture  and  portions  of  hymns, 
which  refreshed  and  strengthened  her  soul.  She  was 
perfectly  conscious,  and  felt  that  her  end  was  near. 

"  '  I  sent  for  the  doctor,  to  whom,  on  arrival,  she 
said:  "Doctor,  how  soon  shall  I  go?"  He  replied: 
"  It  will  not  be  long."  She  was  glad,  smiled  sweetly, 
and  said  to  him :  "  Doctor,  you  have  been  kind  to  me, 
but  Jesus  is  kinder." 

"  '  I  said  :  "  Dearest,  is  your  trust  in  Him  ?"  "In 
Him  alone,"  she  replied  with  firmness  and  a  smile. 
At  times  her  pain  was  great,  and  she  exclaimed : 
"  Oh  !  the  agony  !  Father,  take  Thy  child.  Husband, 
pray  for  my  release.  Thy  will  be  done :  but,  oh  ! 
the  flesh  is  weak."  Again,  in  her  pain,  "  It  is  so  wea- 
risome, but  I  will  bear  it;"  and  smiles  mingled  with 
these  expressions  of  her  Father's  will.  At  a  later  pe- 
riod she  said  :   "  I  do  not  suffer." 

"  '  I  asked  if  she  had  any  messages  for  dear  Die, 
(Miss  Dickson.)  With  a  smile,  she  answered  :  "  Love 
to  all  at  Cavalla,  and  to  Annie." 

"'I  asked:  "Have  you  any  regret  for  coming  to 
Africa?"  (Not  that  I  in  the  least  thought  she  had, 
but  to  receive  her  dying  testimony.)     With  a  smile, 


2-34  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

almost  of  scorn,  at  the  idea,  she  partly  turned  her 
head  towards  me  and  said :  "  Oh  !  no  !     Never." 

"  'As  her  dissolution  approached,  I  asked  :  "  Is  all 
well  ?"     "  Yes,  joy,"  sweetly  smiling. 

"  'Afterwards,  I  asked  the  same ;  and  with  a  smile 

she  answered,  "  Yes.     Love  to  the  Bishop.     of 

our  work.  The  Lord  reigneth  ;"  as  if  she  was  think- 
ing of  the  fewness  of  our  number.  "  Love  to  Miss 
Alley,"  who  was  away  at  the  moment.  I  said, 
"  Farewell,  blessed  one ;"  when,  putting  her  lips  to 
mine,  she  kissed  me. 

"  '  She  had  felt  some  fear  of  the  "  pains  of  death," 
but  the  Lord  was  very  gracious  to  her,  and  caused  her 
to  fall  into  a  sweet  sleep,  three  quarters  of  an  hour  be- 
fore she  breathed  her  last ;  and  so  she  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus — so  quietly  that  it  was  scarcely  known  when  the 
spirit  took  its  flight.     Glory  to  God !'  " 

"  So  fades  the  summer  cloud  away  ; 

So  sinks  the  storm  when  gales  are  o'er ; 
So  gently  shuts  the  eye  of  day ; 
So  dies  the  wave  along  the  shore." 


Chapter   S  i  *  i  tt  n  t  \ . 

"Tiiet  shall  no  more  offer  their  sacrifices  unto  devils." — Lev.  17  :  7. 

Thanksgiving-day  is  always  a  season  of  rejoicing 
at  all  our  mission  stations.  The  native  Christians,  old 
and  young,  having  been  taught  to  offer  thanksgiving 
to  God  for  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  and  all  the  other 
blessings  of  His  merciful  providence. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  appointed  day  the  con- 
tributions begin  to  flow  in.  The  little  boys  bring  a 
fowl,  a  few  cassavas,  small  bunches  of  rice,  or  a  pocket- 
handkerchief.  Then  come  the  school-girls  with  simi- 
lar offerings.  Next,  the  Christian  natives  bring  a  few 
yards  of  cloth,  palm-nuts,  or  rice,  according  to  their 
ability.  On  one  occasion,  we  remember,  one  of  the 
teachers  gave  a  whole  month's  salary.  On  another 
day,  from  the  Mission  garden  was  sent  a  fine  lot  of 
fruits  and  vegetables — such  as  guavas,  cocoa-nuts,  ba- 
nanas, and  pine-apples ;  tomatoes,  radishes,  etc. 

These  offerings  are  generally  brought  to  the  native 
chapel ;  each,  as  he  enters,  placing  his  gift  on  a  table. 
An  appropriate  sermon  is  then  preached ;  and  after 
the  morning  services  are  concluded,  the  children  of 
the  Sabbath  and  day-schools  are  formed  into  a  pro- 
cession. Carrying  suitable  banners,  they  march  through 
the  town  to  some  favorite  spot,  where  they  halt,  and 
are  refreshed  with  cake  and  lemonade.     Gift  books 


236  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

and  rewards  of  merit  are  then  distributed  to  the  cnnd- 
ren,  and  the  performances  wind  up  with  short  addresses, 
singing,  and  prayer. 

The  whole  scene  is  pleasing,  and  peculiarly  refresh- 
ing in  a  heathen  land.  The  boys  frequently  bear  in 
their  hands  branches  of  the  palm-trees,  and  the  girls, 
flowers  from  the  oleander  trees,  and  pure  white  lilies. 
Trifling  and  unimportant  as  these  little  festivities  may 
seem  to  Christians  in  a  civilized  country,  they  have 
undoubtedly  a  great  influence  for  good  over  those  sa- 
vage "  children  of  a  larger  growth"  in  Africa.  Even 
the  rudest  of  heathen  parents  love  to  see  their  children 
trained  to  the  habits  of  civilized  and  refined  people. 
We  have  sometimes  heard  them  say :  "  We  be  too  old 
to  learn  ourselves,  but  there  are  our  boys ;  take  them, 
and  teach  them  white  man's  fashion.  We  like  that. 
We  want  them  to  sabby  God's  book." 

The  native  teacher,  N".  S.  Harris,  at  Cape  Palmas, 
reports,  that  on  the  day  after  last  thanksgiving,  (when 
he  was  distributing  the  offerings  among  nineteen  poor 
people,  four  of  whom  were  blind,)  one  poor  woman 
came  in  singing  his  praise  for  the  things  given.  "  Not 
unto  me,  not  unto  me,"  said  he,  "  but  unto  God  give 
the  praise  ;  for  it  is  through  Sis  name  these  things  have 
been  given,  and  divided  among  you  all." 

An  old  man,  named  Yoh,  said :  "  Let  it  be  so  always. 
May  God  bring  good  to  our  people  and  our  land." 
Others  thanked  God  and  were  very  glad  for  the  things 
given  them.  The  next  morning  an  old  woman  crossed 
the  river,  and  came  before  Harris'  house,  dancing  and 
singing,  (in  Grebo,)  "JSo  we  must  always  do — give 
thanks." 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  237 

The  most  interesting  feature  of  thanksgiving-day  in 
Africa  is  certainly  the  humble  and  hearty  gifts  of  the 
natives.  To  see  persons  who  have  been  trained  from 
infancy  to  give  to  devils  the  offerings  of  their  first-fruits, 
promptly  and  cheerfully  coming  forward  to  acknow- 
ledge the  true  God  in  His  gifts,  and  to  thank  Him  for 
His  mercies,  is  indeed  a  touching  sight,  and  one  deeply 
calculated  to  encourage  the  hearts  of  the  missionaries 
who  have  been  so  long  endeavoring  to  sow  the  good 
seed  in  this  stony  soil  of  Satan. 

We  turn  again  to  the  journal  of  the  missionary  at 
Cape  Palmas,  and  find  that  it  too  breathes  a  spirit  of 
thankfulness  for  mercies  and  comforts  : 

"Sunday,  11th  Dec."  he  writes,  "  Three  things  have 
cheered  me  to-day ;  the  first  is  a  note  from  a  scholar 
from  Kocktown,  who,  six  or  eight  months  ago,  acted 
very  sinfully.  Now  he  begs  forgiveness,  and  brings 
me  a  present  to  show  his  sincerity.  The  note  is  as 
follows  : 

"  '  Eocktown,  Dec.  10th,  1856. 

"  'Dear  Pastor:  I  have  sinned  against  God,  and 
before  thee,  and  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy 
son.     Please  to  forgive  me. 

'"I  bring  you  two  fowls,  two  yards  of  cloth,  and 
one  razor.     I  want  to  come  to  school. 

"  '  Mini,  Charles  Barrett.' 

"  Having  received  a  good  account  of  this  boy  from 
the  teacher  at  Kocktown,  and  believing  him  to  be  truly 
penitent,  I  received  him  again.  The  second  thing  was 
a  visit  from  lMkde,  the  African  demon-woman,'  (or 
whom  an  account  has  been  written  by  Mrs.  Scott.) 


238  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFEICA. 

Five  days  ago,  her  town  people  ordered,  for  some  su- 
perstitious reason,  that  every  one  should  shave  their 
heads,  and  the  hair  should  then  be  collected  and  buried 
in  the  sea.  Mlede  at  first  declined,  but  afterwards  was 
persuaded  to  yield.  "When  I  saw  her,  I  told  her  she 
had  not  acted  wisely,  in  conforming  to  a  heathen  cus- 
tom ;  and,  as  every  one  knew  the  reason  why  the  peo- 
ple shaved  their  heads,  notwithstanding  her  sorrow,  I 
did  not  think  it  expedient  for  her  to  come  to  the  Holy 
Communion  next  day.  She  verily  seems  troubled.  I 
told  her  God  would  forgive  her,  but  hoped  it  would 
be  a  lesson  to  her  in  future.  To-day,  after  five  days' 
absence,  she  called  on  me,  and  told  me  her  sin  was  too 
heavy  on  her  heart ;  it  oppressed  her  night  and  day. 
Her  penitence  assured  me  of  her  sincerity,  and  I  could 
not  but  rejoice  in  her  tender  conscience.  I  assured 
her  that  God  for  Christ's  sake  would  forgive  her  ;  and, 
with  further  conversation,  prayed  with  her,  and  she 
departed  comforted. 

"  The  third  pleasing  incident  of  the  day,  was  the 
account  I  received  from  N.  S.  Harris,  relative  to  the 
natives  in  a  town  near  his  station.  A  demon-doctor 
had  come  on  Sunday  morning  to  the  town  to  make 
them  a  gree-gree :  afraid  openly  to  oppose  him,  they 
secretly  sent  to  Harris,  to  say  he  must  send  and  call 
them  to  come  to  church  ;  and  that  if  they,  in  return, 
sent  word  back  that  a  doctor  was  making  a  gree-gree, 
he  must  come  to  the  town  and  destroy  it.  All  this 
was  done,  and  the  following  day  the  town  people  came 
to  thank  him  for  the  part  he  had  so  well  performed, 
and  the  demon-man  was  driven  away.  So  grows  the 
good  word  of  our  God. 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  239 

"Monday,  12th. — Visiting  candidates  for  confirma- 
tion; the  number  is  now  twenty-four.  The  Bishop 
preached  for  me  yesterday  at  St.  Mark's." 

At  another  time  he  thus  writes  of  Mlede  : 

"  While  we  are  tried  sometimes  by  the  want  of  sta- 
bility in  native  converts,  we  are  at  other  times  com- 
forted by  true  faithfulness.  In  the  church  at  Cape 
Palmas  is  a  native  woman,  (named  Mlede,)  formerly  a 
demon-doctress.  At  the  time  of  harvesting  the  rice, 
she  came  to  her  pastor  to  say  that  she  was  going  to  the 
bush  to  stay  with  her  friends,  and  assist  in  the  harvest. 
He  charged  her  to  remember  her  Christian  profession, 
to  observe  the  Sabbath,  and  call  daily  on  God :  she 
promised  to  do  so.  She  was  absent  six  months.  On 
her  return,  she  brought  to  her  minister  a  bottle  of  oil 
as  a  present.  She  had  observed  the  Sabbath  with  great 
care,  keeping  the  number  of  days  by  notches  on  a  stick, 
proving  her  account  by  inquiring  of  traders  from  the 
Colony.  She  had  refrained  from  visiting  her  former 
friends  among  the  doctors  and  doctresses,  or  encourag- 
ing them  to  visit  her,  lest  she  should  have  been  drawn 
back  to  evil  ways,  which  she  now  knew  were  wrong. 
She  had  resisted  their  ridicule  and  solicitations  to  turn 
her  from  the  way  of  God,  and  maintained  her  integrity. 
She  had  daily  prayed,  and  especially  and  earnestly, 
when  overtaken  by  sickness ;  and  she  attributed  her 
recovery  to  God's  answer  to  her  prayer.  She  came 
back  cheerful,  happy,  and  established  in  the  faith ;  she 
felt  God  had  been  with  her  of  a  truth.  As  she  finished 
her  simple  and  interesting  account,  we  knelt  together 
to  give  thanks  to  Him,  who  had  graciously  kept  her." 

A  most  gratifying  sign  of  progress  in  the  Mission,  is 


240  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

the  steadily  increasing  efficiency  of  native  laborers. 
They  give  proof  that  they  are  becoming  more  and 
more  awake  to  the  fact  that  the  great  work  of  evangel- 
izing Africa  must  be  theirs.  They  perceive  that  the 
white  man  can  only  attack  the  outskirts  of  their  vast 
country.  They  know,  too,  that  the  climate  is  to  for- 
eigners a  most  fatal  one,  and  are  therefore  desirous  to 
have  men  raised  up  among  themselves,  who  will  be 
capable  of  carrying  on  the  work  of  evangelization 
when  the  missionaries,  who  have  originated  it,  and 
sustained  it  for  so  many  years,  shall  be  compelled  by 
sickness  or  death  to  withdraw.  We  see  a  continually 
growing  zeal,  perseverance,  and  method  in  the  labors 
of  the  native  Christians,  and  the  reports  at  the  convo- 
cations are  becoming  increasingly  interesting. 

"  I  am  happy  to  report,"  writes  the  native  teacher 
at  Cavalla,  "  that  since  our  last  convocation  I  have 
endeavored  faithfully  to  discharge  the  duties  assigned 
me  according  to  my  imperfect  ability.  And  I  am 
more  happy  to  report  that  nothing  has  occurred  to 
interrupt  its  exercise,  except  the  scarcity  of  food, 
which  prevented  the  scholars  from  coming  to  school 
for  a  time  :  for  two  weeks  school  was  omitted,  and  the 
children  sent  to  their  parents. 

"  The  scholars  have  been  on  the  whole  industrious, 
progressive,  and  successful  in  their  studies ;  very  punc- 
tual, and  more  obedient  than  heretofore.  The  weekly 
meeting  with  the  scholars  is  still  kept  up.  And  I 
thank  God  it  is  by  the  influence  of  this  meeting,  the 
religious  proficiency  of  the  Christians  is  increased,  and 
peaceableness  and  love  have  now  begun  to  show  them- 
selves in  their  conversation  as  well  as  in  their  deport- 


DAY"    DAWN    IX   AFRICA.  241 

merit :  hatred  and  selfishness  are  now  declining.  And 
in  looking  at  these,  I  might  say  with  the  Apostle :  '  We 
beseech  you,  brethren,  and  exhort  you  by  the  Lord 
Jesus,  that  as  ye  have  received  of  us,  how  ye  ought  to 
walk  and  to  please  God ;  ye  would  abound  more  and 
more.' 

"  The  monthly  missionary  meeting  also  with  the 
scholars  is  still  continued.  The  efficacy  of  this  meet- 
ing has  produced  a  hearty  desire  for  the  saving  of  oth- 
ers, upon  its  members,  and  they  are  zealous  in  this 
work,  especially  C.  Morgan  and  F.  Iloskins ;  and  I 
horje  it  will  be  so  continually. 

"  On  every  Sabbath  day  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of 
visiting  at  Kabla,  or  River  Cavalla,  a  town  five  miles 
east  of  us  at  the  mouth  of  Cavalla  river.  This  people 
have  begun  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  during  the 
last  month,  by  the  influence  of  Mr.  F.  Alison,  a  trader 
that  dwells  among  them.  And  I  find  that  the  prince 
of  this  world  has  now  begun  to  lose  his  power  in  many 
hearts  of  these  people,  and  God  has  begun  His  work 
in  their  hearts.  One  thing  that  prevents  the  embracing 
of  Christianity  is  the  plurality  of  wives.  '  Not  by 
might  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord 
of  hosts.' 

"  On  the  26th  of  May  I  paid  my  missionary  visit  to 
Nyambo  with  brother  J.  D.  George.  I  preached  in 
seven  towns ;  some  of  these  people  never  heard  the 
Gospel  before.  And  I  was  kindly  received,  and  we 
were  persuaded  by  the  people  to  spend  more  time 
there ;  but  as  the  Bishop  was  away,  I  was  required  to 
return  home  on  the  29th  inst. 

"  Since  our  last  vacation,  I  adopted  another  rule,  in 

11 


242  DAY   DAWN    IX   AFRICA. 

which  I  divided  the  scholars  into  four  divisions.  The 
first  division  consists  of  young  professing  Christians, 
eight  in  number,  who  are  required  to  come  into  my 
room  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  the  month,  for 
their  religious  instruction  and  prayer  for  three  quarters 
of  an  hour.  The  second  division,  nine  in  number, 
come  in  my  room  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  the 
month.  These  are  not  professors  of  religion  ;  and  the 
way  of  salvation  is  plainly  set  before  them.  The  third 
division  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  the  month :  these  are 
smaller  boys,  both  in  the  village  and  the  school-house, 
eleven  in  number.  The  last,  or  fourth  division,  are 
young  men  in  our  school,  three  in  number,  who  meet 
the  last  Wednesday  in  the  month  to  pray  for  strength, 
and  especially  that  we  may  labor  for  those  who  are 
around  us.  And  may  God  use  these  means  for  saving 
others,  and  strengthening  our  member  for  Christ's 
sake.     Amen. 

"  The  regular  monthly  missionary  meeting  for  this 
month  (September)  was  invested  with  unusual  interest 
by  the  reports  of  three  catechists,  who  had  just  re- 
turned from  visits  to  the  JVyarnbo,  Babo,  and  Plabo 
tribes.  J.  Vaughan  and  T.  C.  Brownell,  (the  native 
teacher  at  Cavalla,  whose  report  we  have  just  quoted,) 
during  a  week  visited  and  published  the  good  news  in 
eighteen  towns  and  villages  of  the  Nyambo  tribe. 
While  E.  Valentine,  with  J.  W.  Hutchins,  and  a  part 
of  the  time,  Rev.  Mas  a  Minor,  of  Taboo  station,  visited 
fourteen  towns  of  the  Plabo  and  Babo  tribes.  They 
seemed  to  realize  that  they  were  engaged  in  God's 
work,  and  in  prayer  and  faith  to  look  up  for  His  bless- 
ing to  rest  upon  their  labors. 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  243 

"And  God  was  with  them,  giving  them  favor  and 
audience,  and  interest  with  the  people  addressed. 
Several  threw  away  their  gree-grees,  and  many  declared 
that  the  word  preached  was  true  and  good." 

We  know  of  nothing  in  the  history  of  our  Mission, 
in  the  way  of  celebrations,  which  will  more  interest 
our  readers,  young  and  old,  than  the  following  deeply 
interesting  account  of  the  Sunday-school  celebration 
on  Easter-Monday.  It  is  from  the  pen  of  the  mission- 
ary at  Cape  Palmas,  Kev.  Mr.  Hoffman,  written  for  the 
children  of  America : 

"All  the  children  met  at  St.  Mark's  Church  at  eleven 
o'clock : 

"Belonging  to  St.  Mark's  Sunday-school, 100 

Belonging  to  Mount  Vaughan  Sunday-school, 50 

Belonging  to  the  Orphan  Asylum, 18 

Belonging  to  the  native  station  on  the  river 16 

In  all, 184 

"Each  school  was  known  by  its  different  badges 
and  banners.  Our  little  church  was  almost  filled  with 
young  and  happy  faces.     We  commenced  by  singing  : 

'  To  Thee,  0  blessed  Saviour ! 
Our  grateful  songs  we  raise.' 

Then  the  Bishop  offered  a  prayer  from  the  chancel. 
Then  all  the  children  repeated  the  Catechism  as  far  as 
the  Sacraments.  After  this,  the  Bishop  made  an  ad- 
dress, and  then,  with  one  voice,  we  sung  the  Easter 
hymn  : 

1  arist  the  Lord,  is  risen  to-day.' 


244  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFEICA. 

"  Leaving  the  church,  we  marched  half  a  mile,  to 
the  end  of  the  Cape.  Here  the  children  stood  around 
its  high  and  sloping  sides,  facing  inward  and  standing 
side  by  side.  With  their  minister  in  the  midst,  they 
chanted  the  Venite  : 

'  Oh !  come  let  us  sing  unto  the  Lord.' 

Walking  still  in  single  file,  we  descended  the  steep 
bank  by  a  narrow  and  winding  path  ;  when  half-way 
down,  on  a  receding  knoll,  the  Asylum  children  halted 
and  sang,  while  the  others  passed,  each  school  taking 
its  appointed  position — some  on  a  high  rock,  against 
the  sides  of  which  the  waves  were  dashing ;  others 
opposite,  under  the  slope  of  the  Cape ;  others  in  the 
valley  between,  and  others  on  the  rocks  beyond ;  while 
from  above,  on  the  high  Cape,  a  number  of  people 
looked  down  on  the  beautiful  scene.  When  all  were 
ready,  the  Asylum  children  led  in  chanting  the  Bene- 
dicite,  while  from  below  and  around  sounded,  from  all 
the  children,  the  chorus  : 

'Praise  Him  and  magnify  Him  forever.' 

"  0  my  dear  children !  this  was  so  beautiful,  so 
sweet,  so  heaven-like ;  the  voices  of  the  children  min- 
gled with  the  air  and  ocean,  in  their  praises  to  God, 
and  even  the  rocks  cried  out,  in  echo : 

'Praise  Him,  and  magnify  Him  forever.' 

And  all  this  from  the  very  place  where,  twenty -five 
years  ago,  Satan  had  his  seat  and  ruled,  and  the  poor 


DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  245 

heathen  lived  under  his  cruel  sway.  Here,  too,  was  a 
fine  spring  of  water,  and  next  to  the  spring  was  a 
bower,  under  which  we  had  cakes,  and  each  school  in 
turn  went  and  were  refreshed,  and  all,  as  they  left  the 
spring,  assembled  on  a  high  rock  and  sung  : 

'  Hosanna  be  tho  children's  song, 
To  Christ,  the  children's  King.' 

"Again  the  children  formed  in  procession,  and 
marched  to  the  water's  side ;  here  were  three  large 
canoes  and  a  boat,  waiting  to  convey  them  up  the  river 
to  the  native  station.  About  fifty  children  were  in 
each  canoe ;  and  as  they  were  paddled  across,  their 
banners  flying,  you  might  have  heard  their  beautiful 
chants  until  they  arrived  at  the  landing  of  the  station. 
Here  they  were  met  by  the  native  school,  who  stood 
at  the  water's  edge  to  welcome  them  by  singing  Grebo 
hymns  ;  then,  leading  the  procession,  these  native  boys, 
with  their  teacher,  Mr.  Harris,  took  opposite  sides  of 
the  road  and  saluted  the  procession  as  it  passed,  with 
bows  and  welcomes.  "We  walked  through  the  garden, 
and  then  to  the  site  of  a  church  which  we  propose 
building  for  the  natives,  who,  since  the  war,  have  set- 
tled all  around  this  station. 

"  The  children  having  assembled  around  the  lines 
for  the  foundation,  the  boys  on  the  inside  and  the  girls 
outside,  we  sung  a  missionary  hymn : 

'  Who  but  Thou,  Almighty  Spirit, 
Can  the  heathen  world  reclaim  ?' 

Then  I  told  the  children  that  they  should  begin  this 
church  with  their  own  hands,  but  that  its  foundation 


246  DAY  DAWN  IN   AFRICA. 

should  be  laid  in  love.  It  was  God's  love  that  gave  us 
Jesus,  that  sent  us  the  Gospel,  and  that  we  must  have 
love  to  God,  and  to  each  other,  and  to  the  poor  na- 
tives ;  and  then  I  called  T.  E.  Steele,  a  little  native 
boy,  eight  years  old,  and  he  stood  up  in  the  midst,  and, 
in  English,  repeated  the  thirteenth  chapter  of  First 
Corinthians,  about  love.  When  he  had  finished  and  I 
had  said  a  little  more,  the  boys  took  the  hoes  and  went 
to  work ;  the  Bishop  worked,  too,  and  I  worked,  but 
the  children  did  the  most.  The  girls  sung  and  the 
boys  worked.  So  we  began  St.  James's  Church,  a 
church  for  the  natives. 

"After  digging  the  foundation,  we  marched  to  the 
other  side  of  the  teacher's  house,  where  the  masons 
and  carpenters  were  busy  building  a  school-house. 
This  I  have  money  for,  but  I  want  your  help  in  build- 
ing the  church.  Near  this  place  are  many  young 
palm  trees  and  guava  trees ;  beneath  them  benches 
were  arranged,  and  again  the  children  partook  of  re- 
freshments. Then,  for  half  an  hour  they  were  dismissed 
to  play.  At  this  time  a  violent  storm  arose,  and  drove 
us  all  into  the  teacher's  house.  Many  had  to  stand  on 
the  piazza,  for  they  could  not  crowd  into  the  house. 
The  storm  was  soon  over,  and  had  made  the  air  cool 
and  delightful  to  return  home.  So  we  all  embarked, 
and,  with  singing,  crossed  the  river,  and  when  the  sun 
went  down  all  were  happily  going  to  their  homes,  to 
tell  their  parents  of  the  pleasures  of  the  day." 

During  the  month  of  September,  1856,  the  faith  of 
the  missionaries  was  tried  by  the  death  of  the  only 
remaining  female  teacher  at  the  Orphan  Asylum,  Miss 
Isabel  T.  Alley,  who  died  of  consumption  Sept.  29th, 
1856. 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  247 

"  Moved  by  tlie  Spirit  of  God,"  writes  one  who  was 
with  her  in  her  sickness,  "  Miss  Alley  left  a  comforta- 
ble and  beloved  home  in  King  George  county,  Vir- 
ginia, in  October,  1855,  to  join  the  Mission  at  Cape 
Palmas.  Until  the  beginning  of  the  year  in  which  she 
died,  she  resided  at  Cavalla.  Here,  it  may  be  truly 
said,  lSke  did  what  she  could.1  A  kind,  affectionate 
heart  made  her  delight  in  offices  of  love,  and  warmly 
attached  her  to  the  circle  in  which  Providence  had 
placed  her.  But  her  great  desire  was  to  do  good  to 
the  souls  of  those  for  whose  salvation  she  had  come  to 
this  land.  In  this  work  she  labored,  nor  in  vain. 
The  class  which  she  taught  will  long  remember  her 
faithfulness,  while  her  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  native 
women  were  truly  blessed  of  God.  As  I  write,  one 
who  was  led  to  Christ  through  her  means,  stands  in 
sorrow  by  her  corpse  ;  and  another  is  only  prevented 
from  professing  Christ  by  the  influence  of  the  deyd,  to 
whom  she  is  married.  Other  sheep,  though  now  un- 
known, but  led  b}'  her  to  the  great  Shepherd,  will  no 
doubt  rise  up  in  the  last  day,  and  call  her  blessed. 

"  It  was,  however,  at  the  Orphan  Asylum  at  Cape 
Palmas,  where  she  spent  the  last  few  months  of  her 
life,  that  she  specially  manifested  her  zeal  and  effi- 
ciency. Assuming  the  charge  of  sixteen  boarders  and 
as  many  day-scholars,  notwithstanding  her  declining- 
health,  she,  from  the  very  first,  made  herself  their  very 
mind  and  soul — directing  all  the  minutiae  of  their  stu- 
dies and  deportment  both  in  and  out  of  school. 
Every  energy  of  her  mind,  soul,  and  body  appeared 
to  be  taxed  for  this  purpose — taxed  beyond  endurance. 
When  the  examination  in  July  arrived,  the  scholars 
showed  that  every  thing  had  been  done  that  could  be 


248  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFEICA. 

done,  but  the  agent  had  prostrated  herself  in  the  effort. 
She  could  not  be  present  at  it.  The  disease  (consump- 
tion) which  she  had  brought  to  this  country  had  now 
far  advanced  in  its  work  upon  her  frame.  Too  weak 
longer  to  do  any  thing  at  the  Asylum,  she  was  brought 
down  to  Cavalla.  After  a  few  weeks'  stay,  she  flat- 
tered herself  that  she  had  so  far  recovered,  as  to  enable 
her  at  least  to  take  the  general  oversight  of  the  school 
at  the  Asylum,  and  she  requested  to  be  carried  thither ; 
but  a  few  days'  trial  showed  how  incompetent  she  was 
to  the  task.  She  was  brought  back  to  Cavalla,  where 
she  gradually  passed  away  to  her  rest. 

"  During  the  days  and  weeks  of  weariness  appointed 
to  her,  clouds  would  come  over  her  mind  as  to  her 
acceptance  with  God,  and  a  consciousness  that  she  had 
allowed  her  mind  to  be  too  much  engrossed  in  her 
work,  to  the  neglect  of  her  soul's  state  and  interests, 
somewhat  disturbed  her.  A  strong  desire,  too,  to  live, 
with  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  dissolution,  marred  her 
peace.  But  gradually  she  was  made  to  apprehend  the 
Saviour's  all-sufficient  righteousness  as  her  own — to  see 
God's  merciful  design  in  laying  her  aside  that  she 
might  commune  with  herself  and  Him,  and  to  acquiesce 
in  His  will. 

"  She  seemed  ever  to  have  a  great  fear  of  suffering 
in  death ;  but  she  was  mercifully  favored  in  this 
respect,  passing  away  as  if  unconsciously  to  herself, 
into  the  sweet  sleep  of  death.  Attended  by  Bishop 
Payne,  Eev.  H.  Holcomb,  the  Mission  family,  schools, 
and  a  large  number  of  persons  from  the  native  towns, 
her  body  was  laid  alongside  of  Eev.  E.  Smith,  (who 
came  to  Africa  in  the  same  vessel  with  her,)  in  the 
burying-ground  at  Cavalla." 


"The  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad  for  them;  and 
the  desert  shall  rejoice,  and  blossom  as  the  rose." — Isaiah  35  :  1. 

After  many  unavoidable  delays,  the  Bishop  was 
enabled,  in  May  of  this  year,  to  make  another  visitation 
to  the  stations  in  Liberia. 

The  following  extracts  from  his  letters,  written  at 
Monrovia,  give  an  interesting  account  of  the  progress 
of  the  work  there,  and  at  the  intervening  stations.* 

The  first  place  he  touched  at  was  Sinoe.  "Here," 
he  writes,  "the  rite  of  Confirmation  was  administered 
to  two  persons — a  very  respectable  citizen  of  the  rjl  ace, 
who  had  been  reared  in  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
Charleston,  S.  C,  and  his  wife,  lately  a  Baptist.  I 
was  gratified  to  find  just  arrived  at  the  place,  as  a  per- 
manent resident,  Dr.  J.  II.  Snowden,  and  family.  He 
informs  me  that  he  attended  Grace  Church,  in  Boston, 
and  is  most  anxious  that  the  services  of  our  Church 
shall  be  continued  at  the  place.  In  this  feeling  I  fully 
participate,  and  shall,  if  possible,  send  down  Eev.  Mr. 
Green,  of  Monrovia,  to  take  Mr.  Pinckney's  place ; 
and,  in  faith,  I  hope,  I  have  purchased  a  lot  for  $130, 

*  The  missionaries  greatly  need  a  ship,  to  be  under  their  own  con- 
trol. We  hope  the  friends  of  tlio  Mission  will  soon  furnish  means  for 
that  purpose. 


250  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

for  a  mission  chapel  and  building,  when  it  shall  please 
God  to  furnish  the  means  to  erect  them.  *  *  *  *  Most 
anxious  am  I  here,  as  at  all  other  stations  under 
my  care,  to  manifest  some  vital  connection  with 
Him  who  worketk  ever  by  ever  onward  movement. 
God  help  us ! 

"  I  was  gratified  to  find  that  the  people  of  Sinoe, 
though  great  sufferers  in  the  late  war,  in  mind,  body, 
and  estate,  have  quit  themselves  like  men,  and  have 
still  the  manly  bearing  which,  I  trust,  is  the  earnest  of 
future  success  and  prosperity. 

"We  sailed  from  Sinoe  yesterday,  (April  29th,) 
about  noon,  and  are  now  in  sight  of  Bassa  Cove.  Eev. 
Mr.  Pinckney  was  unable  to  leave  for  America,  on 
such  short  notice,  (as  the  Captain  gave,)  but  will  pro- 
bably follow  in  another  vessel,  and  join  us  at  Bassa 
Cove." 

Speaking  of  Mr.  Pinckney 's  departure,  in  another  let- 
ter, the  Bishop  says :  "  As  he  has  been  in  this  country 
the  full  time  required  by  the  rules  of  your  Committee, 
to  entitle  him  to  the  privilege  of  visiting  the  United 
States,  and  has  had  much  suffering,  I  make  no  objec- 
tion to  his  present  determination." 

He  adds :  "I  have  omitted  to  say  that  we  have  on 
board  Miss  Ball,  who  goes  to  the  United  States  for  her 
health.  It  is  gratifying  to  see  that  the  voyage  thus  far 
has  proved  favorable  to  her." 

"At  daylight  yesterday  morning,  May  1st,  the  beau- 
tiful Dja  Mountain  was  visible  in  the  distance  through 
my  state-room  window,  and  the  lofty  cotton  trees  front- 
ing Atlantic  street,  in  Buchanan  City,  were  distinctly  in 
view.     As  it  would  be  some  time  before  our  ship 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFKICA.  251 

would  get  into  harbor,  I  thankfully  accepted  our  kind 
Captain's  offer  to  accompany  him  on  shore,  immediately 
after  breakfast,  in  the  row-boat.  In  less  than  two 
hours  we  landed.  As  we  approached  the  shore,  the 
Mission-house,  situated  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the 
curve  forming  the  bay,  peered  beautifully  through  the 
palm  trees  which  have  been  tastefully  trimmed  up  and 
left  in  front.  The  view  from  the  Mission-house  and 
premises  in  the  harbor,  as  well  as  that  from  them,  is 
very  delightful ;  and  now  that  the  grounds  are  cleared 
and  improved,  I  feel  more  than  ever  satisfied  that  the 
site  is  the  best  that  could  have  been  selected  for  our 
purposes. 

"  Mr.  E.  informs  me  that  the  Dja  Mountain,  always 
spoken  of  in  my  communications  as  the  most  desirable 
location  on  all  the  Liberian  coast  to  try  the  experiment 
of  the  comparative  healthfullness  of  sea-board  and 
mountain  residence,  is  soon  to  be  actually  settled  in 
part  by  colonists  from  New-Jersey.  While,  therefore, 
the  wants  of  Buchanan  City  of  missionary  influence  re- 
main the  same,  there  is  now  open  to  the  very  midst 
of  the  Bassa  tribe  a  high  road  for  the  Gospel.  Verily, 
there  is  scarcely  a  more  interesting  field  for  two  or 
three  missionaries  than  this.  Oh !  that  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest  would  count  our  Church  worthy  to  raise  up 
and  send  from  her  midst  many  faithful  evangelists  into 
this  field.  They  must  still  come  from  America,  for 
we  have  not  Liberians  yet  to  occupy  the  field,  and  the 
scanty  contributions  of  the  Church  will  not  enable  us 
to  raise  them  up  as  we  would.  Mr.  11.  had  at  one  time 
six  promising  boys  at  this  station  under  instruction ; 
but  advices  of  pecuniary  embarrassment  from  the  For- 


252  DAY    DAWN    IN"   AFRICA. 

cign  Committee  made  it  necessary  to  dismiss  all  except 
one.  Oh !  bow  long  shall  we  live  at  this  poor,  dying 
rate  ?  May  the  Lord  pour  out  upon  His  people  that 
charity  which  will  lead  them  to  give  more  generously 
in  this  cause.  We  ought,  and  must,  if  we  can  accom- 
plish it,  have  a  small  training  boarding-school  at  this 
station. 

"May  5th. — I  have  passed  three  busy  days  on  shore 
at  Bassa  Cove.  Friday  was  spent  chiefly  in  visiting 
Lower  Buchanan  with  Mr.  E.,  where,  in  the  afternoon, 
I  confirmed  two  invalid  persons  in  a  private  house. 
The  settlement  has  much  increased  since  my  visit  in 
1853,  having  extended  some  two  miles  back  from  the 
sea-shore ;  and,  Mr.  R.  being  near,  is  able  to  give 
much  attention  to  visiting  and  holding  services  amongst 
the"  people. 

"  On  Saturday  I  visited  Upper  Buchanan  and 
preached,  in  the  afternoon,  in  the  Court  House,  a  good 
brick  building,  kindly  loaned  by  the  local  authorities 
to  Mr.  Rambo  for  holding  services.  This  portion  of 
the  town  has  also  much  improved ;  and  I  was  glad  to 
learn  that  a  lot  had  been  obtained  in  the  vicinity  for  a 
place  of  worship,  when  God  shall  enable  us  to  erect 
one.  In  the  same  place  we  held  services  morning  and 
afternoon ;  on  the  former  occasion,  I  preached  and  con- 
firmed several  persons ;  and  in  the  afternoon,  preached 
and  administered  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  congrega- 
tions were  good,  especially  in  the  morning.  In  the 
evening,  I  walked  down  three  miles,  and  again 
preached  in  Lower  Buchanan.  My  observation  and 
intercourse,  in  this  county,  have  confirmed  my  previous 
impressions  of  its  importance  as  a  missionary  station. 


DAY   DAWN   IX   AFEICA.  253 

Mr.  Rambo  has  reason  to  be  encouraged  at  the  measure 
of  success,  which  God  has  granted  him  in  the  Colony, 
whilst  his  efforts  amongst  the  natives  only  show  him 
what  a  wide  and  open  field  lies  before  him  in  this  di- 
rection. But  he  sadly  needs  help.  Oh  !  that  God  may 
send  it  to  him  speedily." 

The  Bishop's  visit  to  Monrovia  was  rendered  too 
short  by  the  arrival  of  the  General  Pierce  three  days 
after  the  Mendi  reached  Monrovia,  and  the  conse- 
quent necessity  of  his  availing  himself  of  the  opportu- 
nity, afforded  by  the  former  vessel,  to  return  to  Cape 
Pal  mas. 

Arriving  on  the  6th  of  May,  on  the  following  Sab- 
bath, (11th  of  the  month,)  the  Bishop  preached  the  or- 
dination sermon,  and  admitted  Rev.  H.  Green  to  the 
Order  of  Presbyters.  In  the  afternoon  he  again 
preached  and  confirmed  six  persons.  Again  in  the 
evening,  being  kindly  invited  to  do  so,  he  preached  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  congregation  here,  who  have  felt  so  much  their 
need  of  a  church,  are  soon  to  be  supplied  through  the 
liberality  of  St.  George's  Church,  the  noble-hearted 
Rector  of  that  Church  having  resolved  to  raise  chiefly 
from  his  Sabbath-schools  the  sum  necessary  to  finish 
Trinity  Church,  on  the  beautiful  plan  obtained  from 
England,  and  already  commenced. 

A  day  school  for  girls'^s  taught  in  Monrovia  for  the 
Episcopal  Mission,  by  Miss  G.  M.  Williams,  but  the  un- 
favorable state  of  the  weather,  together  with  sickness  in 
the  family  in  which  the  teacher  lived,  prevented  the 
Bishop's  visiting  the  school.  Tuesday,  Wednesday, 
and  Thursday,  20th,  21st,  and  22d,  were  devoted  to 


254  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

visiting  Clay-Ashland.  On  Wednesday  morning 
Grace  Church  was  consecrated,  the  Bishop  preaching 
the  sermon,  and  Kev.  Messrs.  Eussell,  Crummell,  and 
Green  taking  part  in  the  services.  In  the  afternoon 
he  again  preached  and  confirmed  four  persons. 

At  Kev.  Mr.  Eussell's  station  is  a  school  of  some 
twenty  native  boys,  most  of  whom  seemed  to  be  raw 
recruits,  and  had  made  but  little  progress.  In  the  rear 
of  his  house  is  a  native  village  in  which  the  school  is 
kept,  and  where  he  holds  services  for  the  villagers.  A 
female  school  for  colonists  is  also  held  in  Clay- Ash- 
land, which,  for  want  of  time,  it  was  not  possible  to 
visit.  Eeturning  to  Monrovia  on  Friday, -on  the  way 
a  service  was  held  in  Caldwell,  at  which  Eev.  Messrs. 
Crummell,  Eussell,  and  Green  were  present,  and  three 
persons  were  confirmed,  connected  with  the  Church  at 
Clay-Ashland.  The  ship  not  leaving  Monrovia  on 
Saturday,  as  had  been  appointed,  on  Sunday,  18th  of 
May,  the  Bishop  again  preached  to  Trinity  Church 
congregation  and  confirmed  two  persons  who  had  not 
come  forward  on  the  preceding  Sabbath. 

On  Saturday,  24th,  the  Bishop  sailed  from  Monrovia 
in  the  brig  General  Pierce,  in  company  with  Eev.  H. 
H.  Holcomb,  just  arrived  from  the  United  States  for 
the  Cape  Palmas  Mission,  and  Eev.  H.  Green  for 
Sinoe.  Having  stopped  at  Bassa  Cove  and  Sinoe,  he 
reached  home  on  June  13th,  after  an  absence  of  seven 
weeks,  during  which  he  had  the  happiness  to  find  God 
had  graciously  preserved  his  family  and  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Mission. 

In  the  month  of  August,  Mr.  W.  H.  Davies,  of 
Baltimore  City,  having  received  an  appointment  as 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  2~>~> 

teacher  and  business  agent  in  the  African  Mission 
sailed  in  the  barque  Shirley  for  Cape  Palmas. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Rambo,  whose  labors  are  chiefly  con- 
fined to  the  colonists  at  Bassa  Cove,  makes  occasional 
missionary  tours  among  the  Bassas  and  the  other  neigh- 
boring tribes.  In  describing  one  of  his  visitations,  he 
says  : 

"  These  people,  like  all  the  Bassas  around  here,  have 
most  of  them  seen  something  of  civilization  at  Bassa 
Cove  during  their  visits  there,  and  a  few  have  heard  the 
Gospel.  All  have  heard  of  it.  Found  a  few  who  spoke 
English  very  well.  Retired  to  rest  at  9  o'clock  in  the 
small  house  assigned  me  and  my  interpreter.  It  was 
about  six  feet  wide  by  about  ten  long.  The  floor,  like 
the  sides,  was  of  plaited  bamboo,  raised  two  feet  above 
the  ground.  The  roof  was  of  thatch,  and  so  low  that 
I  could  not  stand  up  in  it ;  but  having  learned  to  crawl 
in  early  life,  I  was  at  no  loss  how  to  move  about  when 
necessary.  The  people  were  quiet,  and  drivers*  and 
rats  scarce  to-night,  so  I  slept  well,  as  I  was  in  a  good 
condition  for  it. 

"August  20th  and  21st. — These  days  were  spent  in 
the  same  village  (JPe  Nyo's)  conversing  with  and  preach- 
ing to  the  people.  The  congregations  generally  in- 
cluded all  in  the  town.  At  night,  when  all  had  re- 
turned from  their  farms,  they  were  largest.  At  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  I  twice  preached,  many 
were  absent. 

*  Drivers — that  is,  fierce  black  ants,  which  go  forth  in  large  columns, 
numbering  hundreds  of  thousands,  attacking  every  animal  they  meet, 
from  a  man  to  a  fowl,  or  a  roach ;  their  approach  is  indicated  by  the 
flight  of  fowls,  lizards,  and  serpents. 


256  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFEICA. 

"  I  am  much,  encouraged  in  the  fact  that  the  Bassas, 
even  beyond  this  place,  have  done  away  with  sassa- 
wood  or  red-water.  None  is  administered  on  any  occa- 
sion, not  even  in  cases  of  supposed  witchcraft.  Per- 
haps among  ten  thousand  of  the  most  civilized  Bassas, 
not  one  violent  death  occurs  in  a  year.  "Whilst  among 
ths  same  number  of  Kroo,  Fish,  and  Grebo  people, 
they  may  amount  to  a  dozen  or  twenty  during  the 
same  period.  But  the  villages  are  small  and  scattered. 
I  only  passed  nine  during  the  whole  journey  of  twenty 
miles. 

"Another  encouraging  sign  is,  that  if  gree-grees  ex- 
ist at  all,  they  are  seldom  seen  in  numbers,  and  in 
some  villages  the  people  have  abolished  them  alto- 
gether; and  that  without  the  continual  systematic 
preaching  of  the  Gospel  among  them. 

"  Still  another  good  sign  is,  that  wherever  a  mis- 
sionary goes  to  settle  in  a  central  location,  he  probably 
will  easily  succeed  in  getting  natives  from  various  mo- 
tives (not  all  good,  perhaps)  to  settle  near  him,  say 

within  one  or  two  miles  of  his  residence. .   Mr.  V , 

a  native  missionary,  has  succeeded  well  on  the  St. 
John's  river  in  this  matter.  He  can  now  gather,  at 
certain  seasons,  from  one  hundred  to  two  hundred  per- 
sons, some  of  whom  walk  one  or  two  miles  on  the 
Lord's  day  to  hear  him  preach  the  Gospel  in  his  chapel 
near  his  residence. 

"  The  Liberian  laws  have  had  a  salutary  influence 
upon  all  the  natives  within  twenty-five  miles  of  Bu- 
chanan. Sassa-wood  has  been,  in  part  or  wholly, 
checked  from  this  cause.     Let  us  thank  God,  and  take 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  257 

courage,  that  such  good  signs  are  to  be  seen  among  the 
comparatively  peaceful  and  interesting  Bassas. 

"August  22d. — Started  for  my  home  this  morning, 
and  walked  to  a  town  five  miles  from  my  residence, 
where  I  thought  it  expedient  to  spend  the  night,  as  I 
became  very  much  fatigued  with  my  rough  walk. 
Eeached  home  next  day,  after  a  most  satisfactory  visit 
to  the  '  bush.'  My  health  seems  very  good,  thanks  to 
our  covenant-keeping  God. 

"Sept.  14/A,  {Sunday.) — Preached  in  the  morning  at 
Upper  Buchanan,  and  in  the  afternoon  to  a  few  na- 
tives ;  lectured  as  usual  at  night  on  Pilgrim's  Progress, 
at  my  house. 

"October  13th — Walked  at  12  o'clock,  two  miles,  and 
took  a  canoe  and  ascended  the  Benson  river,  nearly 
five  miles,  and,  taking  a  winding  path  through  a  pleas- 
ant woods,  reached  King  Peter's  town  in  ten  minutes 
after  leaving  the  canoe.  The  King  was  not  at  home, 
nor  many  of  his  people.  Walked  nearly  two  miles 
further  to  Pessa  town,  where  I  found  him.  I  preached 
to  some  thirty  people  in  this  village.  These  people 
are  part  of  another  tribe.  There  are  several  towns 
belonging  to  this  (the  Ptssa)  tribe  scattered  throughout 
the  Bassa  country.  They  are  in  such  cases  tributary 
to  the  chief  on  whose  land  they  settle,  and  serve,  as 
interior  traders,  to  bring  palm  oil,  rice,  and  camwood, 
from  fifty  to  one  hundred  miles  inland,  where  their 
own  tribe  is  settled.  They  have  seldom,  if  ever,  heard 
the  Gospel,  and  seemed  much  surprised  at  the  truths 
announced  to  them.  Their  language  differs  somewhat 
from  the  Bassa. 

"  I  returned  and  took  supper  with  King  Peter.     He 


258  DAY   DAWN   IX  AFRICA. 

gave  me  quite  a  comfortable  house.  It  had  elevated 
berths  of  bamboo  within.  He  spread  a  cloth  on  the 
table  for  me ;  placed  a  knife,  fork,  plate,  spoon,  and 
tumbler  for  me.  After  all,  the  palm  butter  and  rice 
were  served  up  in  a  wash-basin ;  this  article,  however, 
is  used  for  no  other  purpose  by  the  natives.  I  have 
gotten  used  to  the  practice  during  my  visits  to  the  na- 
tives. 

"I  had  quite  a  long  talk  with  the  King  about  his 
country,  his  people,  and  their  superstitions.  He  says 
he  likes  the  Gospel  and  missionaries ;  yet,  he  still 
clings  to  the  most  of  the  native  customs.  I  saw  no 
gree-grees  in  his  village,  but  he,  like  others,  still  coun- 
tenances demon-doctors,  and  believes  many  of  their 
lying  deceits.  He  is  more  advanced  towards  civiliza- 
tion than  most  of  the  Bassa  chiefs ;  yet,  still  he  is  a 
real  heathen. 

"  Went  to  my  berth  at  nine  o'clock  quite  tired,  and 
slept  better  than  I  generally  do  in  a  native  hut.  It 
was  quite  comfortable,  and  free  from  soot  and  smoke. 
I  had  room  to  stretch  my  full  length,  and  was  not  an- 
noyed by  rats  or  drivers. 

"Nov.  29th. — I  am  now  prepared  to  report  on  the  site 
proposed  on  the  St.  John's  river  for  a  central  mission 
station.  I  will  do  so  briefly.  Left  Bassa  Cove  on  the 
21st;  ascended  the  St.  John's  river  twelve  miles  to 
Benstown  the  first  day ;  spent  the  night,  as  rain  stop- 
ped us,  in  this  same  village. 

"  22d. — Walked  twelve  miles  through  forests,  along 
winding,  muddy,  rough,  almost  impassable  paths,  in 
places,  to  Gia's  town,  on  the  side  of  the  mountain,  two 
miles  from  the  summit.     We  ascended  gradually  dur- 


DAY  DAWN  IN  AFEICA.  259 

ing  the  last  six  miles  of  our  journey.  Sunday  was 
spent  in  Gia's  town,  (very  small  and  uncomfortable  ;) 
preached  to  twenty-five,  persons. 

u  24th. — Ascended  to  the  summit,  walking  two  miles 
from  Gia's  town,  the  road  being  steep  in  some  places ; 
found  primitive  forest,  and  an  elevation  of  about  two 
hundred  feet  above  Gia's  town,  and  perhaps  five  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  sea.  The  sides  near  the  top  are 
very  rocky,  though  the  forest  is  fine.  On  the  very  top 
is  a  plain  or  level  (all  covered  with  forest)  of  some  fif- 
teen to  twenty  acres,  and  comparatively  free  from 
rocks  and  stones.  The  soil  is  a  very  rich  loam  on  a 
clayey  foundation. 

"Abundance  of  the  best  building  materials  to  be 
found  just  on  the  spot.  Springs  not  distant.  Such  is 
the  St.  John's  or  the  Dja  Mountain.  Distant  from 
Upper  Buchanan  by  the  present  route  twenty-six 
miles,  but  in  a  straight  line  perhaps  less  than  twenty. 
But  the  present  path  is  too  winding  and  hemmed  in 
to  be  used  by  the  missionaries,  who  may  settle  perma- 
nently on  that  fine  spot,  if  the  Board  agree  to  establish 
a  central  native  station  there. 

"A  straight  road  should  be  opened  from  the  highest 
point  on  the  St.  John's,  to  be  reached  by  canoes, 
twelve  miles  from  the  mouth  direct  to  the  mountain. 
This  would  not  be,  perhaps,  over  eight  or  ten  miles. 
This  road  I  deem  necessary,  and  some  light  bridges 
also,  before  it  would  be  safe  for  an  unacclimated  mis- 
sionary to  attempt  to  travel  it,  which  must  be  princi- 
pally by  hammock. 

"The  elevation  of  from  five  hundred  to  six  hundred 
feet  is  sufficient  to  test  the  comparative  health  of  the 


260  DAY  DAWN  IN   AFEICA. 

marshy  coast  and  the  highland  interior.  There  are  at 
least  five  towns,  within  three  or  four  miles  of  the  site 
I  selected,  and  a  dozen  more  within  seven  or  eight 
miles  in  all  directions,  which,  in  aggregate,  may  num- 
ber one  thousand  souls. 

"  These  people  not  only  have  never  heard  the  Gos- 
pel, but,  so  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  will  welcome  and 
hear  with  pleasure  a  missionary,  and  will  give  as  many 
children  as  we  desire  for  schools." 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  a  mission  station  will  soon  be 
established  on  this  beautiful  mountain,  (Dja,  or  St. 
John,)  about  twenty-five  miles  from  Bassa  Cove,  as  it 
may  prove  a  healthful  and  delightful  resort  for  invalid 
missionaries  from  the  more  malarious  coast  stations, 
and  become  an  opening  to  an  important  field  in  the 
interior. 


<£ I] aptu    &i$\ttttt I] . 

"  Beloved,  think  it  not  strange  concerning  the  fiery  trial  which  is  to 
try  you." — 1  Peter  4:12. 

As  the  year  1856  drew  near  its  close,  the  quiet  of 
the  Mission  was  disturbed  by  rumors  of  approaching 
war  between  the  colonists  and  natives. 

Before  the  war  commenced,  however — as  if  to  pre- 
pare the  missionaries  for  the  trial  which  awaited  them 
— it  pleased  the  Lord  to  strengthen  their  hearts  by  an 
unusual  manifestation  of  His  gracious  presence.  From 
the  letters  and  journal  of  the  missionary  at  Cape  Pal- 
mas,  we  extract  the  following  interesting  particulars : 

"  You  will  heartily  rejoice  to  hear  that  the  God  of 
Love  has  manifested  His  presence  amongst  us  at  the 
Orphan  Asylum.  I  had  for  some  days  observed  an 
increasing  interest  at  our  morning  and  evening  pray- 
ers ;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  31st  of  July,  one  of  the 
girls  asked  me  if  I  had  any  objections  to  some  of  the 
older  ones  going  to  the  school-room  to  sing  hymns. 
'  Certainly  not,'  I  replied,  '  it  would  give  me  pleasure 
to  have  them  do  so.' 

"  I  heard  their  voices  in  the  evening,  and  about 
eight  o'clock,  when  the  bell  was  rung  for  them  to  go 
to  the  wash-room,  I  thought  I  would  go  over,  join 
them  in  a  hymn,  and  dismiss  them.  I  found  them 
gathered  together,  sobbing  and  singing  !     I  soon  found 


262  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

they  were  all  apparently  deeply  affected  with  a  sense 
of  their  sins.  So  I  talked  and  prayed  with  them,  and 
sending  the  youngest  to  bed,  I  continued  my  con 
versation  with  the  older  ones,  some  of  whom  I  learned 
had  gone  without  their  supper  to  sing  and  pray  to- 
gether. I  had  at  our  evening  devotions  for  some  days 
previous,  been  speaking  of  the  spirituality  of  God's 
law,  and  of  the  imputed  righteousness  of  Christ.  On 
Monday,  the  1st  of  August,  I  was  obliged  to  leave  my 
little  flock  to  take  Miss  Alley  to  Cavalla,  and  did  not 
return  till  Tuesday.  That  evening  the  girls  met  again, 
and  again  I  joined  them.  Each  came  and  stood  by  my 
side,  and  told  me  her  sense  of  sinfulness,  and  of  her 
hope  in  Jesus.  To  each  I  spoke  as  her  case  seemed 
to  demand.  A  solemn  silence  pervaded  the  room,  and 
the  Spirit  of  God  seemed  to  be  moving  upon  their 
souls.  Some  were  in  tears.  We  sang  together,  '  I  lay 
my  sins  on  Jesus,'  after  which  they  went  quietly  to  the 
dormitory.  Their  general  conduct  has  been  in  accord- 
ance with  their  Christian  profession.  They  have  gone 
to  their  work  and  attended  to  their  studies  with  faith- 
fulness. 

"  On  the  7th  of  August,  I  was  obliged  to  leave  them 
for  Cavalla,  to  attend  our  convocation  ;  and  you  may 
imagine  my  regret  to  do  so,  under  the  interesting  state 
of  feeling  in  which  I  left  the  little  ones.  But  it  was 
the  work  of  God,  not  mine.  And  when  He  called  me 
away,  He  could  work  as  well  without  as  with  mo.  I 
was  absent  from  Thursday  till  Monday,  and  I  came 
back  to  find  six  of  the  oldest  girls  rejoicing  in  the  hope 
of  pardoned  sin  and  acceptance  with  God.  On  Satur- 
day all  had  gone  to  the  end  of  the  Cape,  a  retired  and 


DAY    DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  263 

beautiful  place,  and  among  the  high  bushes,  knelt  in 
prayer,  and  sang  the  praise  of  Jesus.  There  He  met 
with  them,  and  filled  them  with  joy  and  peace.  They 
came  away  with  light  hearts.  Jesus  had  been  found 
of  those  who  sought  Him.  He  had  received  the  little 
ones,  laid  His  hands  on  them,  and  blessed  them. 

"  I  heard  nothing  of  this  till  my  return  on  Monday. 
About  four  o'clock  the  smallest  children  came  to 
say  they  had  done  their  work,  and  would  I  let  them 
go  to  walk  ?  '  Yes.'  And  away  they  went  with  light 
hearts.  An  hour  after  I  went  to  the  school-room  and 
foimd  the  door  locked.  When  opened,  I  found  the 
older  girls  seated  together.  Asking  the  cause,  they 
said  they  were  consulting  in  regard  to  coming  to  see 
me  up  stairs.  I  told  them  they  could  come  when  they 
felt  disposed,  and  left  them.  Soon  afterwards  they 
came,  and  told  me  they  thought  their  sins  were  for- 
given for  Jesus'  sake.  One  I  stood  in  doubt  of,  and 
when  I  asked  her  what  she  had  to  say,  she  replied 
with  a  sad  look  and  voice,  she  '  could  not  say  she  felt 
her  sins  forgiven.'  I  was  pleased  with  her  answer,  for  it 
assured  me  of  her  sincerity.  I  had  a  blessed  talk  with 
them.  We  sung  together  and  prayed.  I  briefly  ex- 
plained the  subject  of  Confirmation  to  them,  and  re- 
minded them  of  the  Holy  Communion,  to  which  I  shall 
hope  to  receive  five  of  them  next  month,  perhaps  six. 
The  whole  demeanor,  manner,  and  expression  of  these 
children,  indicate  the  greatest  sincerity,  and  give  me 
the  sweetest  assurance  that  the  work  is  God's. 

"  You  will  with  me,  therefore,  thank  God  for  His 
grace.  You  will  rejoice  in  these  first  fruits  from  the 
Orphan  Asylum.     You  will   be  encouraged,  and  be 


264:  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

glad  to  see  your  labors  for  Africa  owned  of  God, 
blessed  in  the  salvation  of  precious  souls,  whose  life 
and  conversation  may  yet  win  hundreds  more  to  the 
Lord:s  fold,  and  swell  His  praise  throughout  eternity. 

"  I  was  this  morning  (as  I  have  frequently  been  be- 
fore) pleased  with  the  selections  of  texts  made  and  re- 
peated by  the  children  at  morning  prayer.  One  said : 
'  Love  not  the  world,  nor  the  things  of  the  world.' 
Another :  '  Ye  are  of  God,  little  children,  and  have 
overcome  them ;  because  greater  is  He  that  is  in  you, 
than  he  that  is  in  the  world.'  And  another :  '  Let  your 
light  so  shine  before  men,'  etc. 

"  While  I  have  only  thought  it  well  to  say  to  the 
five,  '  Come,  confess  your  Saviour  before  men,'  the 
Spirit  of  Jesus  seems  to  be  in  the  little  ones  also.  They 
are  so  good ;  but  I  must  exercise  my  judgment  in  re- 
gard to  them,  and  watch  their  conduct.  It  may  be 
some  are  fit  for  a  profession  of  faith.  It  is  a  blessed 
thing  thus  to  labor  for  Jesus,  and  see  Jesus  manifest 
Himself  in  our  midst.  And  how  it  proves  '  our  ways 
are  not  His  ways.'  See !  He  removes  my  beloved 
wife,  and  they  are  left  without  her  influence.  Then 
He  takes  their  faithful  teacher,  and  leaves  them  with- 
out a  female  instructor.  And  then  when  I  am  alone — 
yea,  even  then,  when  /  am  away,  He  works  in  them. 
Even  so  Lord,  be  Thine  all  the  praise  forever  and  ever." 

"  Dec.  14:th,  1856. — A  crowded  congregation  at  St. 
Mark's  to-day  ;  benches  placed  in  the  aisle  to  accommo- 
date the  people.  Four  persons  baptized — two  adults 
and  two  children,  the  latter  belonging  to  the  Orphan 
Asylum.     Sunday-school  and  services  at  the  Native 


DA.T   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  265 

Chapel,  as  usual.     At  night  there  was  a  rumor  of  war, 
and  very  few  came  to  St.  Mark's. 

"  Tuesday,  16th. — Six  hours  visiting  the  candidates 
for  Baptism  and  Confirmation — many  interesting  cases. 
The  candidates  for  Confirmation  now  number  thirty -six. 

"Wednesday,  17th. — Visited  by  some  interested  for 
their  souls'  salvation.  In  the  afternoon  went  to  the 
station  on  the  river,  to  converse  with  the  four  little 
boys  referred  to  on  the  oth  of  December.  Their  an- 
swers were  smart,  wise,  and  satisfactory.  Appointed 
their  sponsors,  and  set  forth  their  duties.  Visited  a 
native  town,  and  had  a  delightful  talk  (because  so  ear- 
nestly responded  to)  with  the  natives,  who  assembled 
under  a  thatched  shed  ;  then  we  knelt  in  prayer,  and 
parted.  Returned  to  dine  and  rest.  I  sent  for  the 
head-men  of  the  towns  to  make  them  their  usual 
Christmas  presents,  thus  assuring  them  of  oar  friend- 
ship, for  rumors  of  war  between  the  colonists  and  na- 
tives are  growing  more  serious.  Uad  our  usual  Wed- 
nesday evening  lecture. 

"Thursday,  18th.— Went  to  Cavalla  to  attend  the 
examination  of  the  schools ;  found  the  scholars  had 
greatly  improved.  On  Saturday,  20th,  returned,  stop- 
ping at  Grahway  ;  found  too  much  cause  for  fear  of  a 
rupture  between  the  natives  and  colonists.  May  our 
Heavenly  Father  be  our  preserver  and  theirs  ! 

"Sunday,  21st. — Though  with  every  prospect  of  war 
to-morrow,  God  has  greatly  blessed  me  in  all  the  ser- 
vices of  the  day,  notwithstanding  a  severe  headache 
and  slight  fever.  At  St.  Mark's,  baptized  two  adults, 
one  of  whom  was  a  native  youth,  who  lives  with  the 
superintendent  of  our  Sunday-school,     lie  had  been 

12 


266  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFKICA. 

an  attendant  at  the  Sunday-school,  and  attentive  and 
devout.  As  I  was  leaving,  one  evening,  the  house 
where  he  was  employed,  I  heard  him  running  behind 
me,  and  as  soon  as  he  could  get  breath  he  said  :  '  Sir, 
I  think  God  has  given  me  a  new  heart.'  Subsequent 
conversation  convinced  me  of  the  fact.  He  was  bap- 
tized '  James  Hall.'  The  other  candidate  was  a  female 
and  a  colonist.  Thus  we  see  that  God  is  no  respecter 
of  persons,  but  natives  and  Americans  by  each  other's 
side  enter  the  gate  of  life.  We  had  a  deeply  interest- 
ing service  at  the  chapel.  It  was  crowded  with  colo- 
nists and  natives,  and  with  most  of  the  Sunday-school 
children  from  St.  Mark's  ;  all  came  to  witness  the  bap- 
tism of  four  native  youths  from  the  Eiver  station. 
Their  ages  were  from  eight  to  twelve,  and  their  names 
"William  Roberts,  Joseph  Packard,  J.  Howard  Smith, 
and  Thomas  Ramsay  Steele.  They  made  their  answers 
in  Grebo,  distinctly  and  solemnly.  It  was  a  deeply 
interesting  and  most  impressive  occasion.  The  fathers 
of  two  of  the  boys  came  forward,  after  the  service,  and 
shook  my  hand,  saying,  '  they  liked  that,'  they 
'  thanked  me,'  they  gave  their  children  to  me.  And 
now,  with  cheering  hope  of  God's  blessed  Word  ad- 
vancing among  the  natives,  with  the  prospect  of  up 
wards  of  forty  persons  being  confirmed,  in  a  few  days, 
at  St.  Mark's,  a  dark  cloud  gathers  around  us,  and  the 
horrors  of  war  are  just  ready  to  burst  upon  us. 

"Monday,  22d. — A  report  has  been  current  for  some 
days  past  that  the  natives,  on  a  fixed  day,  (the  previous 
Sunday,)  had  intended  to  rise  upon  the  colonists  and 
destroy  them  ;  but  that  this  had  only  been  prevented 
by  the  vigilance  of  the  colonist?.     The  Governor  and 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  267 

Council  inquired  into  the  matter,  and,  from  the  subse- 
quent action,  we  would  infer  that  the  fact  was  substan- 
tiated. Difficulties  between  the  natives  and  authorities 
had  been  frequent,  and  were  increasing.  The  posi- 
tion of  the  native  towns  dividing  and  joining  the  Ame- 
rican settlement,  was  one  which  could  not  fail  to  give 
rise  to  disputes  and  difficulties.  The  Grab  way  people, 
who  live  about  eight  miles  east,  were  closely  connected 
-with  the  Cape  people,  as  friends  and  allies.  Those 
Grahway  people  had  refused  to  acknowledge  the  Go- 
vernor's authority,  and  sent  to  him  impertinent  mes- 
sages, to  the  effect  that  before  they  would  obey  his 
demands,  he  must  come  and  burn  the  sand  on  which 
their  town  was  built. 

"  The  Americans  were  fully  prepared  for  war. 
Orders  were  issued  on  the  afternoon  of  the  21st  that 
every  thing  should  be  prepared  for  an  emergency ; 
ammunition,  guns,  and  cannon,  were  prepared,  and  sta- 
tions appointed  for  the  effects  of  the  people  to  be  taken 
to  for  safety. 

"  Treaties  had  been  made  some  weeks  before  with 
the  Kocktown  people,  on  one  side,  and  the  Cavalla 
people  on  the  other,  and  with  other  tribes  who  were 
regarded  as  the  allies  of  the  Americans — while  they 
were  the  old  enemies  of  the  Cape  and  Grahway  people. 

"  The  Cape  Palmas  people  seemed  not  to  have 
thought  that  things  would  be  pushed  to  an  extremity  ; 
they  were  occupied  generally  in  making  their  farming 
utensils ;  and,  to  hasten  their  work,  had  sent  to  the 
'  bush  '  for  blacksmiths,  who  were  daily  busy  at  their 
work.  Parties  were  going  out  to  their  farms  every 
day,  and  those  farms  very  near  the  settlement. 


268  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

"  Apparently  there  was  tlie  most  friendly  feeling 
up  to  the  last  hour,  between  the  Americans  and  the 
mass  of  the  people  ;  their  towns  were  unguarded  and 
quiet  at  night,  and  their  usual  avocations  followed 
during  the  day.  Not  having  planted  their  farms  the 
previous  year,  on  account  of  war  with  the  Eocktown 
people,  they  had  no  rice,  and  they  had  planted  their 
cassadas,  now  just  mature,  on  the  vacant  lots  of  the  Ame- 
ricans— acres  and  acres  of  them.  The  Grahway  people 
were  also  engaged  in  preparing  for  farming. 

"  Early  Monday  morning  the  head-men  were  sent 
for  at  the  Government  House.  It  was  understood  that 
propositions  would  be  made  to  them  to  leave  their 
towns  and  vacate  their  lands,  in  consideration  of  an 
annual  sum  for  a  certain  number  of  years.  They  were 
very  slow  in  coming  to  the  Government  House,  and 
when  they  came,  refused  to  treat  until  the  Eocktown 
men,  who  had  just  approached  in  two  large  war-can oes> 
should  be  sent  away.  Whether  they  rejected  the  offers 
of  Government,  or  even  fully  heard  them,  in  that  last 
moment  of  confusion  and  anxiety,  I  do  not  know  ;  but 
no  sooner  had  they  left  the  House  than  orders  were 
given  to  fire  the  large  gun,  the  signal  of  war,  and  every 
man  stood  at  his  post.  This  was  ten  o'clock.  The 
Eocktown  canoes  approached,  and  received  an  officer 
off  the  end  of  the  Cape ;  another  body  of  Eocktown 
men  rose  from  an  ambush,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  where  they  had  been  stationed  the  night  before  ; 
the  cannon  opened  upon  the  town ;  the  houses  were 
approached  by  a  small  party,  and  fired ;  in  a  few  mo- 
ments the  town  was  in  a  blaze. 

"The  natives  made  little  or  no  resistance.     A  party 


DAY   DAWN    IN   AFRICA.  209 

■with  a  white  flag,  came  out  soon  after  the  cannons  were 
fired,  but  were  driven  back.  The  flames  swept  every 
thing  before  them.  At  eleven  o'clock,  the  natives,  en 
masse,  crossed  the  river,  and  coining  upon  the  settle- 
ment in  the  rear,  their  course  was  marked  by  the 
smoke  and  flames  of  houses.  The  people  had  fled,  and 
removed  most  of  their  effects.  The  Eocktown  people, 
and  other  allies,  were  now  returning  with  their  plun- 
der ;  loaded  canoes  by  scores,  were  seen  going  towards 
Eocktown  and  Fishtown,  with  boxes,  chests,  etc. ;  and 
the  towns  were  one  heap  of  ruins  !  There  was  very 
little  blood  shed.  A  cannon  commanding  the  river 
pass,  was  unfired ;  had  it  been  used,  hundreds  of  na- 
tives would  have  been  killed.  Only  one  of  the  colo- 
nists was  killed,  and  one  wounded.  The  one  killed  fool- 
ishly endeavored  to  protect  his  house  against  a  host  of 
natives,  instead  of  seeking  safety  for  himself. 

"  As  the  day  advanced,  a  number  of  persons  sought 
refuge  at  the  Asylum ;  family  after  family  came  in. 
Beds  were  laid  on  the  floor  for  the  females  and  infants, 
while  children  and  youths  lay  on  the  mats  under  the 
tables.  1ST.  S.  Harris  and  his  school  reached  the  house 
just  as  the  war  began,  and  I  rejoiced  to  have  them  with 
me  in  safety.  We  had  our  evening  prayers  as  usual, 
only  that  they  were  more  earnest  and  crowded.  The 
night  was  lightened  by  burning  houses. 

"  Tuesday,  2Sd. — A  household  of  about  a  hundred 
persons  !  Had  morning,  noon,  and  evening  prayers. 
Had  headache  and  fever  all  day,  yet  able  to  keep  about. 
Though  not  fearing  an  attack,  yet  prepared  for  one,  by 
having  a  communication  cut  between  the  second  story 
and  the  dormitory,  and  between  the  dormitory  and 


270  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

cellar,  by  trap-door  in  the  ceiling ;  a  pair  of  steps  were 
hastily  put  together,  which  could  be  used  and  drawn 
up  if  necessary.  I  received  a  letter  from  the  Bishop, 
suggesting  that  I  should  go  to  Cavalla;  but  my  duty 
is  plainly  here,  and  until  it  shall  appear  otherwise,  here 
I  intend  to  remain,  trusting  in  God. 

" Wednesday,  IMh. — In  the  midst  of  war;  guards 
posted  at  various  points  of  the  Cape.  House  full  of 
people.  Having  with  me  about  twenty  native  children 
and  youth,  school-boys  and  others,  my  position  is 
rather  a  delicate  one.  Had  a  visit  from  the  Governor's 
aide-de-camp,  to  inquire  in  regard  to  rumors  about  some 
of  the  boys,  also  regarding  myself,  etc.  His  visit  was 
entirely  satisfactory.  This  evening  some  of  the  colo- 
nists went  to  Cavalla,  to  apprise  them  of  an  attack  con- 
templated on  the  morrow  upon  the  Grahway  people, 
and  to  get  their  cooperation.  Before  retiring,  with 
the  aid  of  some  of  the  school-girls,  our  Christmas  motto 
was  prepared  for  the  school-room.  On  white  cotton 
was  sewed,  in  large  letters,  'A  Saviour  which  was 
Christ  the  Lord.'  This  was  stretched  across  the  school- 
room, and  on  the  morrow  was  to  be  dressed  with  flow- 
ers. Thus  in  the  midst  of  war,  we  prepared  to  keep 
the  feast  of  the  King  of  Peace. 

"  Christmas-day. — Our  household  preserved  in  safety 
during  the  night.  Our  beautiful  motto  formed  the 
subject  of  a  short  address  at  morning  prayers.  Con- 
siderable excitement  among  the  people.  A  party  of 
about  sixty  colonists,  with  a  large  number  of  Bock- 
town  and  Fishtown  natives,  left  about  ten  o'clock  A.M., 
for  Grahway.  At  half-past  nine,  we  observed  the  Half 
Grahway  towns  on  fire,  and  soon  afterwards  those  of 


DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  271 

Grahway,  a  few  miles  beyond.  Had  a  meeting  with 
Harris  and  his  scholars,  and  endeavored  to  turn  their 
eyes  from  the  battle  to  God.  There  would  have  been 
probably  forty  persons  confirmed  to-day,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  this ;  but  the  Lord  reigns,  and  the  war  may 
scatter  the  seeds  of  Divine  truth  where  they  never 
otherwise  would  have  reached. 

"Evening. — While  at  tea  we  observed  the  houses  at 
Mt  Vaughan  in  a  blaze !  "We  trusted  the  natives 
would  have  spared  these,  because  Mission  and  Ameri- 
can property  ;  but  now  they  are  all  gone,  save  a  small 
school-house  and  the  chapel  at  the  foot  of  the  hill. 
Mrs.  Thompson  has  lost  every  thing  except  her  clothes ; 
and  Eev.  Mr.  Gibson  his  library  and  every  thing  else, 
except  his  bedding.  This  is  the  twentieth  anniversary 
of  our  Mission.  How  sad  it  has  been !  Our  services 
interrupted ;  our  little  flock  scattered ;  a  portion  of 
the  roof  of  St.  Mark's  Church  burned,  and  the 
door  broken  in  ;  our  Mission  buildings  at  Mount 
Vaughan  consumed ;  intercourse  cut  off  between  our 
stations ;  the  natives  —  among  whom  we  had  gone 
preaching  the  Gospel  of  the  Kingdom — scattered ;  and 
ourselves  sharing  in  the  general  apprehension  of  the 
community.  But  our  God  lives,  and  our  Captain  rules, 
and  our  Jesus,  to  whom  all  power  is  given,  reigns ;  and 
we  rejoice — yea,  and  we  will  rejoice. 

"  Saturday,  27th. — Up  from  three  o'clock.  I  am  keep- 
ing guard  on  the  piazza.  At  two  in  the  afternoon,  I 
took  a  walk  over  the  burnt  district ;  the  hill  where  the 
town  had  stood  is  truly  a  beautiful  one,  commanding  a 
view  of  the  ocean  both  to  the  windward  and  leeward. 
Not  a  house  was  standing.     Here  and  there  a  charred 


272  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

pillar  was  seen,  a  pile  of  broken  crockery,  etc. ;  the 
three  fire-bricks  of  each  house,  where  many  a  meal  of 
rice  had  been  cooked,  alone  -uninjured.  Two  of  the 
older  school-boys  were  taken  into  custody  by  the  Go- 
vernment, being  Cape  Palmas  youths,  and  charges 
having  been  made  against  them  for  conveying  informa- 
tion to  their  people.  Before  night,  however,  I  got  per- 
mission from  the  General  to  take  them  from  their  con- 
finement, and  keep  them  as  prisoners  in  the  Asylum. 

"Sunday,  28th. — Rose  after  a  quiet  night's  rest. 
Prayers  largely  attended ;  read  the  Epistle  and  Gospel 
for  the  day.  Two  native  dumb  boys,  who  had  fled 
from  the  town  were  present ;  they  knelt  in  prayer,  one 
on  either  side  of  me.  Visited  the  General,  and  offered 
to  have  service  for  the  soldiers  at  any  hour  he  would 
appoint.  Eleven  o'clock  was  fixed.  Meanwhile,  went 
up  stairs  and  heard  the  native  children  sing  ;  addressed 
them  and  prayed  with  them.  They  entered  into  the 
service  very  heartily.  At  a  quarter  before  eleven  there 
was  an  alarm  of  war ;  an  attack  was  made  on  the  Go- 
vernor's house,  (so  the  report  went.)  It  proved,  how- 
ever, only  to  have  been  the  reappearance  of  a  crazy 
native,  who,  in  the  morning,  had  appeared  in  the  settle- 
ment and  snapped  his  gun  at  a  female,  and  then  ran 
into  the  'bush.'  The  poor  fellow  was  shot.  Finding 
no  congregation  at  the  Government  House,  I  returned 
to  the  Asylum,  and  commenced  services  there.  I  had 
not  proceeded  far,  however,  before  I  was  sent  for ;  and 
leaving  the  service  here  to  Mr.  M in  the  school- 
room, and  Harris  to  conduct  service  up  stairs  with  the 
natives,  I  went  again  to  the  Government  House.  A 
congregation  of  about  twenty-five  assembled,  mostly 


DAY    DAWN    IN   AFRICA.  273 

soldiers  and  females.  Preached  from  Joshua  5  :  3. 
In  the  afternoon,  made  visits  among  the  people.  Many 
had  left  their  own  houses,  and  were,  for  safety,  living 
together.  Many  families  were  in  the  Methodist  church, 
and  many  in  the  Seminary — both  large  stone  build- 
ings. 

"Monday,  29^A. — A  day  of  many  mercies.  The  Go- 
vernment has  allowed  the  Cape  Palmas  school-boys, 
from  Cavalla,  to  return — except  one,  John  Davis,  who 
has  been  court-martialed,  being  accused  of  stealing  ball 
and  conveying  them  to  his  people.  Overtures  of  peace 
made  by  the  Cape  and  Grahway  people. 

"Wednesday,  Dec.  Blst — The  last  day  of  a  year  of 
many  sorrows,  and  much  grace,  and  many  mercies." 


12* 


CIrajfu  gKhutnntlr. 

"I  will  overturn,  overturn,  overturn  it;  and  it  shall  be  no  more, 
until  he  come  whose  right  it  is;  and  I  will  give  it  him." — Ezek.  21:27. 

"  Surely  the  wrath  of  man  shall  praise  thee ;  and  the  remainder  of 
wrath  shalt  thou  restrain. — Psalm  76  :  10. 

Though  the  beginning  of  the  year  1857  found  the 
Mission  still  in  the  midst  of  war,  yet  the  missionaries 
were  punctually  and  hopefully  fulfilling  the  duties  of 
their  various  stations ;  which,  indeed,  they  had  never 
remitted,  even  at  the  most  alarming  period. 

A  letter  from  the  missionary  in  charge  at  Cape 
Palmas,  gives  the  following  particulars  : 

"  Cape  Palmas,  Jan.  28th,  1857. 

"*  *  Having  written  you  of  the  breaking  out  of 
war  between  the  natives  and  colonists,  on  the  22d  of 
December  last,  you  will  feel  anxious  to  hear  from  us. 
On  the  19th  inst.  the  colonists,  to  the  number  of  sev- 
enty, went  to  make  an  attack  on  the  natives  at  Grah- 
way.  A  party  of  twenty-three  went  by  the  lake  in  a 
large  canoe,  in  which  was  placed  a  brass  cannon. 
These  commenced  the  attack  ;  met  with  a  very  heavy 
fire  from  behind  a  barricade,  and  as  they  were  endea- 
voring to  back  a  canoe,  it  upset,  and  every  one  was 
drowned. 

"  Their  comrades  on  the  opposite  shore  returned  in 


DAY   DAWN    IN   AFltlCA.  275 

disorder.  The  enemy  gained  thus  three  large  canoes, 
and  two  pieces  of  cannon.  Since  then  they  have  be- 
come emboldened;  have  cut  off  our  communication 
between  the  Cape  and  Cavalla ;  and  yesterday,  from 
ambush,  killed  one  man,  and  wounded  another  who 
was  getting  out  some  cassadas.  The  Governor  has 
issued  a  proclamation  for  the  people  to  act  now  on  the 
defensive,  and  to  take  advantage  of  the  season,  and 
plant  what  vegetables  they  are  able.  Strict  guard  is 
kept  by  day  and  night.  The  government  has  also  sent 
to  Monrovia  to  ask  aid  from  the  Eepublic,  and  written 
to  the  English  and  French  consuls,  as  well  as  to  the 
American  commercial  agent,  for  the  presence  and  aid 
of  a  man-of-war.  There  is  considerable  anxiety  felt 
among  the  people.  I  think  at  present  they  are  able  to 
defend  themselves,  and  there  is  no  present  want  of 
food.  The  Cavalla  people  on  one  side,  and  the  rest  of 
the  Grebo  tribe  on  the  other,  are  their  allies.  For  our 
own  personal  safety  I  have  little  apprehension.  The 
Asylum  has  been  a  place  of  refuge  in  every  alarm. 
The  first  week  of  the  war  I  must  have  had  at  least  a 
hundred  persons  beneath  my  roof;  and  now  my  family 
is  sixty — this  includes  Mrs.  Thompson's  family  from 
Mount  Vaughan ;  the  orphan  children  of  the  Asylum ; 
the  native  teacher,  N.  S.  Harris,  his  family,  and  school ; 
two  widows,  with  seven  children,  whose  houses  were 
burned,  and  their  husbands  killed ;  and  two  most  in- 
telligent deaf  and  dumb  boys,  (natives,)  who  ran  in 
here  for  refuge. 

"I  reopened  the  schools  yesterday.  The  day  and 
the  Asylum  scholars  are,  as  usual,  in  the  school-roOm 
on  the  first  floor,  and  Harris  and  his  school  up  in  the 


276  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

third  story.  All  things  are  going  on  quietly  and  or- 
derly. My  morning  and  evening  prayers,  with  such  a 
large  number  of  children,  are  interesting  and  delight- 
ful. Our  Sabbath  services  are  as  usual,  (except  those 
to  the  natives.)  Harris  has  his  Sunday-school  here, 
while  the  Colonial  one  is  held  at  St.  Mark's.  Since  I 
wrote  you,  I  have  made  a  short  voyage  for  my  health. 
I  was  absent  a  week,  and  went  as  far  as  Sinoe.  Arriv- 
ing on  Sunday,  I  preached  twice  on  that  day,  and  once 
on  Monday.  I  found  Eev.  Mr.  Greene  well,  and  pros- 
pering much  in  his  school  and  church.  He  holds  ser- 
vice in  his  house.  A  church-building,  as  recommended 
by  the  Bishop,  would  advance  at  once  the  prosperity 
of  his  work.     *     * 

"  I  was  made  glad  to  hear  from  the  Bishop  this 
morning.  The  bearer  of  this  note  passed  Grahway  in 
the  night,  and  by  going  out  to  sea,  reached  Fish  town 
safely ;  thence  he  brought  it  here.  I  inclose  it,  as  it 
will  tell  you  more  fully  than  I  now  have  time  to  do, 
of  the  welfare  of  those  at  Cavalla. 

"  Thus  you  see,  dear  brother,  that  though  the  Lord 
1  breaketh  upon  us  breach  upon  breach,'  He  does  not 
forsake  us ;  '  though  troubled,  not  distressed ;  per- 
plexed, but  not  in  despair.'  Ah  !  no  !  thanks  be  unto 
God,  who  always  causes  us  to  triumph  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

The  Bishop's  note  is  as  follows  : 

"Cavalla,  Jan.  27th,  1857. 
"  My  Dear  Brother  :  For  four  or  five  days  I  have 
had  notes  for  Cape  Palmas,  but  have  sought  in  vain 


DAY    DAWN    IN   AFRICA  2  i  i 

for  some  conveyance.  Since  the  disaster  of  last  Mon- 
day, there  has  been  little  or  no  passing  from  this  place 
to  Cape  Palmas,  Bocktown.  or  Fisktown.  Only  this 
moment  I  learn  there  is  a  Fishtown  man  here,  and  I 
write  this  for  him  to  take. 

"  I  trust,  my  dear  brother,  you  are  by  this  time  at 
home,  safe,  and  in  improved  health.  You  will  find  in 
the  altered  state  of  the  Colony  much,  I  fear,  to  disquiet 
you. 

"  Here,  through  grace,  we  are  well  and  tranquil, 
though  hearing  constant  rumors  of  intended  attacks 
upon  the  place  by  Grahwayans  and  Cape  Palmas  na- 
tives. All  are  on  the  alert,  though  I  am  not  much 
inclined  to  credit  rumor,  so  far  as  immediate  attacks 
are  concerned.  I  think  the  enemy  will  direct  their 
attention  towards  Cape  Palmas  at  present. 

"  Here  our  work  is  going  on  as  prosperously  and 
quietly  as  if  there  were  no  war.  Indeed,  I  think 
amongst  scholars,  villagers,  and  town-people,  there  is 
a  more  serious  state  of  mind  than  I  have  known  for 
some  time.  The  congregations  on  the  last  two  Sun- 
days have  been  excellent ;  and  the  hushed  attention 
and  serious  manner  were  proof  consoling,  that  God 
was  present,  turning  minds  and  hearts  to  the  truths 
taught.  Not  only  so  :  GocVs  kingdom  enlarges.  Sun- 
day before  last  I  baptized  old  Mase  Sia,  of  Dodu-lu,  an 
apparently  sincere  convert ;  and  yesterday  a  boy 
(Richard  Killin)  belonging  to  Kobla.  It  seemed,  as  I 
remarked  at  baptism,  that  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  was  with 
us ;  that  in  the  present  state  of  things  we  could  thus 
receive  one  from  the  oilier  side  in  our  midst,  under  His 
arms,  who,  in  the  days  of  His  flesh,  would  have  gath- 


278  DAY  DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

ered  those  whom  His  justice  must  now  destroy,  '  as  a 
hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wing.' 

"  I  long  to  see  you,  but  know  not  how  or  when  I 
can  go  up  to  the  Cape  ;  soon,  however,  if  He  who  con- 
trols all  in  mercy,  shall  say,  '  Peace.' 

"All  join  in  love  to  you  and  '  the  Church  which  is 
m  your  house.'  J.  Payne." 

One  month  later  an  arrival  from  Africa  brought  the 
following  letter  from  the  Bishop  containing  the  joyful 
intelligence  that  peace  had  been  declared  : 

"  Cape  Palmas,  Feb.  26th,  1857. 

"Rev.  and  Dear  Sir:  I  have  been  here  three 
days,  attending  the  deliberations  of  commissioners  for 
settling  the  difficulties  in  which  our  last  communication 
left  us.  I  am  rejoiced  to  inform  you  that  peace  has 
again  been  established.  The  good  providence  of  God 
brought  to  us  a  man-of-war,  with  General  Roberts,  and 
some  one  hundred  soldiers  from  Monrovia,  just  at  the 
time  when  their  services  were  required  ;  and  they  set 
themselves,  most  wisely  and  justly,  not  to  make  war,  but 
to  conclude  a  peace.    They  have  been  entirely  successful . 

"  The  Cape  Palmas  natives  expressed  their  regret 
and  shame  that  our  station  at  Mount  Yaughan  was 
burned — said  it  was  not  done  by  their  authority,  but  by 
some  individuals  either  of  their  own  or  of  the  Bush 
people.  They  are  allowed  to  settle  near  enough  to  the 
Cape  to  allow  them  still  to  enjoy  missionary  influence, 
and  we  trust  the  peace  will  be  permanent. 

"  I  have  not  time  to  write  more,  but  could  not  but 
hasten  to  communicate  to  you  these  glad  tidings. 

"  Yours  in  the  Gospel,  J.  Payne." 


DAY'    DAWN    IN  AFRICA.  279 

Under  date  of  April  23d,  he  writes  : 

"  God's  special  blessing  appears  to  have  rested  on 
the  labors  of  our  beloved  brother  at  Cape  Palmas.  At 
the  Convocation  just  held  in  St.  Mark's  Church,  at 
Easter,  thirty-one  persons  -were  confirmed,  and  several 
others  were  prevented  by  sickness  from  coming  for- 
ward. Since  that  time  he  informs  me  that  others  have 
expressed  their  desire  for  Confirmation.*  Our  beauti- 
ful little  St.  Mark's  is  now  becoming  too  small  for  the 
congregation  attending  it. 

"At  this  station,  Cavalla,  the  congregation  continues 
to  average  two  hundred  and  two  hundred  and  fifty, 
and  within  the  past  nine  months,  sixteen  adult  heathen 
have  been  baptized  into  Christ's  fold  ;  others  are  hope- 
ful candidates. 

"  The  Kev.  Mr.  Minor  continues  to  labor  at  Taboo  ; 
Mr.  Dorsen,  at  Rockbookah ;  J.  W.  Hutchins,  at  Hening 
Station  ;  Mr.  F.  Allison,  at  River  Cavalla.  Mr.  Thom- 
as Toomey  has  been  transferred  from  this  station  to 
Rocktown,  while  Mr.  Thomas  Thompson,  formerly 
there,  has  been  removed  to  the  Orphan  Asylum,  to 
teach  the  girls,  and  to  assist  Mr.  Hoffman,  until  a  more 
suitable  teacher  shall  be  provided. 

"G.  T.  Bedell  remains  at  Rocktown  as  native 
teacher,  and  Mr.  S.  Boyd  continues  to  render  some 
service  as  catechist  at  Fishtown.  But  this  last  station 
especially,  as  indeed  the  Mission  generally,  needs 
strengthening.  May  God,  in  answer  to  our  earnest 
prayers,  speedily  bring  us  help." 

From  this,  and  other  letters,  we  learn  that  some- 

*  Soon  after  Easter,  twenty-sis  were  confirmed,  ranking  in  all  fifty- 
seven  within  three  months. 


280  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

thing  was  being  done  at  all  the  Mission  stations,  not- 
withstanding the  horrors  of  war,  and  the  scarcity  of 
laborers. 

We  also  learn  that  there  was  much  seriousness  in 
the  girls'  native  school  at  Cavalla.  Three  of  the  child- 
ren had  recently  professed  their  faith  in  Christ.  Others 
were  deeply  impressed  by  religious  truth,  and  the  hope 
was  entertained  that  they  would  speedily  become 
Christians.  At  no  time  had  there  been  more  accom- 
plished in  this  school. 

From  Bassa  Cove,  under  date  of  February  15th,  Mr. 
Eambo  writes,  that  he  feels  much  encouraged  in  his 
labors,  which  he  divides  between  Upper  and  Lower 
Buchanan,  and  the  natives  around.  He  had  recently 
travelled  fifty  miles,  mostly  on  foot,  and  preached  in 
ten  villages  on  the  way. 

Under  date  of  March  30th,  1857,  Mr.  Hoffman  thus 
writes  from  Cape  Palmas : 

"  I  am  very  happy  to  be  able  to  forward  you  the 
mail  from  Cavalla,  by  the  English  war-steamer,  Hecla. 
She  came  down  in  answer  to  a  call  of  the  Government 
upon  the  English  consul  for  aid  in  the  recent  difficul- 
ties with  the  natives.  Those  difficulties,  I  am  glad  to 
inform  you,  are  now  settled.  The  Mary  C.  Stevens, 
on  the  16th  of  February,  brought  one  hundred  and 
ten  soldiers  from  Monrovia,  under  command  of  Gen- 
eral Koberts,  the  ex-President.  The  head-men  of  the 
natives  were  called,  and  the  '  palaver '  talked.  Three 
conferences  were  held,  and  ou  the  fourth  a  treaty  of 
peace  was  signed,  satisfactory  to  all  parties.  One  thou- 
sand dollars  indemnity  is  to  be  paid  to  the  natives  for 
the  destruction  of  their  towns  ;  they  are  to  be  hence- 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  281 

forth  under  the  laws  of  the  State.  They  are  to  be 
allowed  to  return  and  settle  on  the  river,  about  a  mile 
from  their  former  location,  and  in  the  rear  of  our  Mis- 
sion town  at  Hoffman  Station  ;  and  are  also  to  have  a 
Kroo  town  allowed  them,  on  the  opposite  bank,  at  the 
entrance  of  the  river.  The  Grab  way  people  rebuild 
their  old  towns. 

"  The  erection  of  the  towns  is  to  commence  at  once. 
The  population  will  now  be  in  the  immediate  neigh- 
borhood of  our  station,  whose  motto  from  its  com- 
mencement has  been:  'A  little  one  shall  become  a 
thousand.'     May  God  so  fulfill  it ! 

"  Harris  and  his  wife  are  still  faithful  and  earnest. 
They,  with  the  scholars,  returned  to  the  station  on  the 
second,  after  two  months'  absence.  Things  had  been 
much  injured  during  the  time  they  were  away — the 
out-houses  pulled  down,  and  vegetables  stolen.  Some 
considerable  expense  and  much  labor  will  be  necessary 
to  put  it  again  in  order. 

"  Here,  things  go  on  as  usual.  The  Institution  must 
suffer,  so  long  as  it  is  left  without  a  lady  to  guide  its 
affairs.  I  am  myself  overwhelmed  with  work,  and 
earnestly  beg  your  prayers  and  hearty  endeavors  to 
send  us  help  ;  we  need  it,  we  need  it.  The  Bishop  and 
family  are  well. 

"  The  United  States  ship  St.  Louis,  and  brig  Dol- 
phin, are  both  here.  The  St.  Louis  leaves  in  a  few 
days  for  the  windward,  and  the  Dolphin  for  the  lee- 
ward.    The  officers  are  well. 

"  In  the  settlement  of  the  recent  troubles,  the  na- 
tives acknowledge  the  wrong  they  did  us  in  burning 
the  buildings  at  Mount  Vaughan,  and  pay  two  hundred 


282  DAY  DAWN  IN   AFRICA. 

bushels  of  rice  as  indemnity — a  small  price,  but  the 
Bishop  would  show  them  mercy  in  their  present  low 
and  depressed  state. 

"  This  day  the  State  of  Maryland  in  Liberia,  is  no 
more  ;  she  has  been  united  to  the  Eepublic  of  Liberia, 
and  now  the  Liberian  flag  is  flying  on  our  Cape." 

Truly  the  providence  of  God  has  overruled  evil  for 
good  in  the  late  war.  The  Cape  Palmas  natives  are 
now  removed  to  a  more  suitable  location  than  the  one 
they  formerly  occupied.  The  centre  of  the  town  of 
Harper*  was  not,  in  the  opinion  of  the  colonists,  the 
proper  place  for  a  native  settlement ;  and  much  discon- 
tent arose  from  this  cause.  They  are  now  under  the 
laws  of  the  State,  which  may  beget  in  the  hearts  of  the 
colonists  feelings  of  a  more  fraternal  nature  toward 
them. 

The  annexation  of  the  State  of  Maryland  to  the  Ee- 
public of  Liberia,  will  prevent  the  recurrence  of  war 
between  the  natives  and  colonists  at  Cape  Palmas. 
The  colonist  force,  in  future,  will  be  strong  enough  to 
intimidate  them.  For  this,  the  missionaries,  in  com- 
mon with  others,  have  cause  to  be  grateful  to  God. 

Another  cause  of  gratitude  is  to  be  found  in  the 
fact  that  the  war  did  not,  to  any  extent,  interrupt  the 
operations  of  the  Mission,  or  call  off  the  attention  of 
the  congregations  from  spiritual  things  ;  but  that,  on 
the  contrary,  a  greater  degree  of  seriousness  was 
observed  among  the  attendants  and  members  of  the 
various  mission  churches.  Lately,  St.  Mark's  Church, 
at  Cape  Palmas,  the  principal  seat  of  the  war,  has  been 

*  So  the  colonist  town  at  Cape  Palmas  is  called. 


DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA.  283 

filled  to  overflowing.  The  rector  writes,  under  date 
of  April  27th: 

"  I  am  happy,  and  God  makes  me  useful,  and  blesses 
me  in  my  work.  St.  Mark's  is  crowded.  We  have 
eighty-one  communicants,  and  I  have  constant  applica- 
tions. The  Sunday-school  is  overflowing,  and  here, 
at  the  Orphan  Asylum,  the  lambs  are  being  brought 
to  the  good  Shepherd.  *  *  Nor  are  the  heathen 
without  my  reach.  Hoffman  Station,  around  which 
all  the  Cape  Palmas  natives  are  now  settled,  God 
blesses." 

In  view  of  these  facts,  we  are  constrained  to  ex- 
claim with  the  Psalmist :  "  Surely  the  wrath  of  man 
shall  praise  thee,  and  the  remainder  of  wrath  shalt 
thou  restrain." 

"Ah !  are  none  coming  to  help  us  ?"  writes  Mr.  H. 
"  Well,  while  God  is  with  us,  we  shall  go  on,  whether 
they  come  or  not.  We  can  however  hut  pity  those 
who,  with  all  necessary  qualifications,  refrain  from 
giving  themselves  to  the  work  of  God.  The  Saviour's 
language  is  ours  :  '  O  ye  of  little  faith  !'  Be  assured 
we  are  strong  in  the  Lord,  even  though  men  withhold 
their  help.  They  who  come  must  come  willing  to  suf- 
fer and  ready  to  die.  They  who  come  must  so  feel 
the  love  of  Jesus  in  their  hearts,  that  it  can  burn 
brightly  even,  if  need  be,  in  an  atmosphere  of  coldness, 
indifference,  and  ingratitude.  For  so,  ofttimes,  the 
missionary  feels  who  labors  among  the  heathen.  The 
salt  and  the  light  must  be  within,  "shining  directly 
from  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  on  his  soul,  and  not 
reflected  from  any  thing  without,  for  darkness  sur- 
rounds us.' 


284  DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA. 

But  the  work  goes  on.  Midst  sickness,  death,  and 
"war,  God's  work  goes  on.  "  Not  by  might,  not  by 
strength,  but  by  His  Spirit." 

"  Our  most  delightful  and  profitable  Convocation," 
(writes  one  of  the  missionaries,)  "  closed  atCavalla  last 
Sunday  evening,  the  10th.  The  attendance  was  larger 
than  ever  before,  and  it  was  a  period  of  deeper  religious 
interest,  and  more  evident  manifestation  of  the  pre- 
sence of  God,  than  we  believe  ever  has  been  witnessed 
before  since  the  establishment  of  our  Mission. 

"Although  the  services  did  not  regularly  begin  until 
Friday,  yet  Thursday  evening  being  the  usual  lecture 
evening  at  this  station,  most  of  the  members  of  the 
Convocation  arrived  in  time  to  attend  it. 

"  There  were  present,  S.  Boyd  and  three  native 
Christians  from  Fishtown ;  G.  T.  Bedell,  and  three 
from  Kocktown ;  N.  S.  Harris,  (native  deacon,)  and 
two  from  Cape  Palmas  ;  John  Farr,  the  native  teacher 
from  Half  Grahway ;  J.  W.  Hutchins,  native  teacher 
from  the  Cavalla  Biver ;  and  Musu,  (Rev.  J.  M.  Minor,) 
from  Taboo. 

"  On  the  following  day,  Rev.  Mr.  Gibson,  of  Mount 
Yaughan,  and  Mr.  T.  J.  Thompson,  of  Rocktown, 
arrived. 

"  On  Thursday  evening  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hoffman 
preached  from  the  text :  'And  they  shall  all  be  taught 
of  God.'  Blessed  truth !  Of  which  we  had  living 
manifestations  in  the  large  native  Christian  assembly. 

"  On  Friday  morning  a  meeting  was  held  at  seven 
o'clock  in  the  large  Church  of  the  Epiphany.  This 
was  for  the  natives,  and  upwards  of  two  hundred 
attended.     Rev.  Mr.  Jones   opened  the  service,   and 


DAY   DAWN    IN   AFRICA.  285 

addresses  were  made  by  Rev.  Mr.  Minor  and  Mr.  Be- 
dell. They  were  listened  to  by  tlie  people  with  the 
deepest  attention. 

"At  eleven  o'clock  the  Convocation  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Holcomb,  from  the  text : 
'  Rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad.'  He  was  followed 
in  an  address  by  the  Bishop.  In  the  evening  at  six 
o'clock  our  missionary  meeting  was  held.  The  Bishop 
opened  the  service,  after  which  the  missionaries,  teach- 
ers, and  visitors  read  the  reports  of  their  stations,  and 
each  on  ending,  made  an  address  in  connection  with 
it ;  some  in  Grebo,  some  in  English.  They  were  lis- 
tened to  with  the  deepest  interest,  and  gave  evidence 
of  a  godly  vitality  pervading  the  work,  which  was 
heart-cheering  and  reviving.  It  was  past  midnight 
ere  we  ceased  to  speak  or  hear  of  the  things  which 
God  had  wrought  at  our  various  stations.  It  was  a 
1  feast  of  good  things,  of  fat  things,  of  wine  on  the 
lees.' 

"  The  next  morning  at  seven  o'clock  another  meet 
ing  was  held  in  the  Epiphany,  for  the  natives  ;  which 
was  addressed  by  Mr.  Boyd,  Mr.  Valentine,  and  Mr. 
Bedell.  Our  business  meeting  occupied  about  half  an 
hour  before  the  service  at  eleven  o'clock,  when  Rev. 
Mr.  Gibson  preached  from  the  text,  'But  now  hath 
He  obtained  a  more  excellent  ministry,  by  how  much 
also  is  lie  the  mediator  of  a  better  covenant,  which 
was  established  upon  better  promises,'  Heb.  8:6;  a 
clear,  earnest  exposition  of  the  covenant  of  grace  in 
contrast  with  that  of  works.  He  was  followed  in  an 
address  by  Mr.  Hoffman. 

"  The  evening  again  found  our  large  school-room 


286  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

crowded,  when  Mr.  Jones  read  the  service,  and  Mr. 
Hoffman  preached  from  St.  John  5  :  28-29.  Sunday 
was  the  great  day  of  the  feast.  Morning  prayers  were 
conducted  for  the  scholars  and  villagers  in  the  girls' 
school-house,  by  the  native  Christians.  At  ten 
o'clock  the  natives  began  to  assemble  in  the  Epiphany ; 
we  had  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  present.  The 
Bishop  read  the  service  in  Grebo,  and  made  an  address ; 
then  followed  Mr.  Boyd,  a  native  teacher.  The  great- 
est attention  pervaded  the  assembly.  Mr.  Hoffman 
continued  the  services  in  an  address,  and  was  followed 
by  Gr.  T.  Bedell,  who  closed  with  prayer  :  the  Bishop 
pronounced  the  benediction. 

"  No  stranger  could  have  witnessed  the  sight  without 
observing  the  great  interest  and  attention  of  the  con- 
gregation; lhanh-te-non'h,1  (true,  true,)  could  be  heard 
from  native  lips,  as  the  speakers  proclaimed  the  truth 
of  the  Lord. 

"At  three  o'clock  P.M.  we  had  confirmation  and  the 
administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper ;  twelve  natives 
ratified  their  baptismal  vow  ;  among  them  four  youths, 
namely,  Hening,  Eandall,  Neufville,  and  "Waterbury  ; 
one  native  woman,  and  the  rest  were  men  from  the 
heathen  towns.  The  Bishop  administered  the  Holy 
Communion,  assisted  by  one  of  the  clergymen  present, 
when  no  less  than  sixty-eight  came  forth  to  partake  of 
it.  Sixty-eight !  all  but  eleven  of  whom  were  native- 
born  !  Born  in  sin,  too,  and  the  children  of  wrath, 
but  now  born  anew  of  the  Spirit ;  children  of  God 
and  inheritors  of  glory. 

"  Rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad,  brethren  afar  off. 
Ye  faithful  ones,  who  hold  up  our  hands  by  your 


DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA.  287 

prayers  and  gifts,  rejoice,  for  the  Lord  is  with  us,  and 
the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  us. 

"  In  the  evening  the  last  service  was  held.  Mr. 
Hoffman  preached  from  Matthew  22  :  2-14  ;  and  the 
Bishop  followed  with  a  parting  address.  The  last 
hours  of  the  evening  of  the  Sabbath  were  passed  in 
sweetly  singing  sacred  music,  accompanied  by  the 
melodeon  ;  one  after  another  joined  us,  until  our  little 
parlor  was  filled  with  native  Christian  youths,  all  sing- 
ing the  praises  of  God,  in  chants,  hymns,  Te  Deum, 
and  Gloria  in  Excelsis." 

The  following  letter  from  a  native  convert,  (who 
was  baptized  about  this  time)  to  a  missionary  in  the 
United  States,  will  not  be  without  interest  to  the 
reader : 

"Cape  Palmas,  July  29th,  1857. 

"  Rev.  H.  R.  Scott  :  Dear  friend,  what  you  told  me 
I  must  do  before,  I  do  now  ;  you  told  me  I  must  mind 
God,  I  do  mind  Ilim  now.  I  take  my  house  over  to 
Harris's  place  :  before,  I  had  two  wives ;  I  give  up  one 
now. 

"  That  time  you  go  home  to  your  own  country,  and 
I  see  no  other  man  in  your  place,  I  can't  be  God  man ; 
I  see  one  other  man  (Hoffman)  come  live  your  house ; 
he  do  like  you  ;  so  I  mind  God's  things  now.  When 
I  be  baptized,  I  be  glad  to  take  your  name.  That  day 
I  was  baptized — it  was  in  new  school-house  at  Harris' 
place — I  feel  glad  that  day. 

"Hymias  is  gone  back  again ;  Sugar  is  gone  back, 
too.*     Other  boys  who  live   night-school  first  time, 

*  He  here  alluJi-a  to  two  native  companions,   who   at  one  timo 
teemed  to  have  serious  impressions. 


288  DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA. 

only  Taba  and  me  ;  we  mind  God's  things.     Tweble  go 
to  sea,  but  lie  no  love  God's  things. 

"Mlede,  every  time  she  come  from  bush  country  she 
gives  me  good  word  about  God.  I  never  see  her  do 
any  bad  thing.  She  live  bush  country  long  time. 
Some  time  she  come  here  see  her  people,  then  she 
come  church  on  Sunday. 

"  When  I  done  build  my  house  at  Harris'  place  I  go 
tell  old  Mlede  come  from  bush  country  and  live  with 
me  ;  if  she  like,  I  give  her  little  house  for  herself.  I 
go  take  my  old  mother  to  live  with  me.  I  want  her 
to  do  all  the  same  as  Mlede  do.     I  want  her  do  it. 

"  Harris  is  good  to  me ;  he  is  good  to  all  our  people. 
He  is  strong  to  speak  to  country  people  about  God : 
all  the  same  as  before,  when  you  live  here,  he  do  now : 
he  teach  school-boy  well.  By  and  by  we  get  settled, 
we  go  to  have  night-school  again.  My  father  build 
his  town  cross  river  from  the  old  town  (which  was 
burned  in  the  war)  at  Cape,  on  beach — good  place. 

"I  am  well:  my  child,  my  wife  are  well.  I  hope 
you  be  better — and  wife  and  child  be  well.  I  hope 
you  send  me  God  word  all  time.     That  is  all. 

"Deye,  alias  Hugh  Koy  Scott." 

Before  closing  this  chapter  we  will  give  an  extract 
from  a  letter  which  we  lately  received  from  a  teacher 
at  Cape  Palmas,  Thomas  Toomey,  whose  history  is  giv- 
en in  a  preceding  chapter.  It  gives  a  most  encourag- 
ing account  of  the  demolition  of  idols : 

"  The  Bishop  and  I  went  out  to  visit  the  towns 
after  dinner,  (July  3d.)  We  went  first  to  King  Dana- 
bo's    town,   and  collected    the    people.     The  Bishop 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  289 

preached,  followed  by  Bedell.  Then  commenced  the 
question  about  giving  up  idols.  One  man  yielded, 
afterwards  many  more.  The  Bishop  and  I  were  ex- 
hausted from  pulling  down  those  false  gods.  It  was 
night  before  we  reached  home.  Mr.  Hoffman,  notwith- 
standing he  had  been  sick,  had  been  engaged  in  the 
same  work  at  Tom  Dick's  and  other  towns.  Had  sup- 
per, after  which  the  Holy  Communion.  Selfish  nature 
asked  for  rest,  and  we  all  retired  to  bed,  thanking  God 
for  what  He  had  wrought,  in  the  destruction  of  the 
gods,  which  made  not  the  heavens. 

"  Friday  found  us  all  well ;  rose,  and  again  we  all 
bended  our  knees  at  His  footstool  in  the  school-house, 
where  we  had  a  short  address  from  the  Bishop,  on  the 
text:  'Goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the 
days  of  my  life,  and  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  forever.'  It  was  the  fourth  of  July,  and  the 
twentieth  anniversary  of  the  Bishop's  arrival  at  Cape 
Palmas.  Prayer  was  conducted  by  Mr.  H.  I  felt  it 
was  good  for  me  to  be  there.  Dismissed,  had  break- 
fast ;  and  now  for  the  windward  stations,  Middletown 
and  Fishtown.  The  Bishop  thought  it  best  to  leave 
Mr.  Hoffman  at  Rocktown,  to  finish  the  destruction  he 
had  commenced  the  evening  before,  and  to  take  me 
with  him  to  the  windward  stations.  When  we  arrived 
at  Middletown,  the  Bishop  preached,  after  which  I 
spoke.  Here  we  destroyed  many  idols,  threw  some 
into  the  sea,  and  set  fire  to  others.  As  we  were  leav- 
ing Middletown,  a  kroo-boy  collected  a  quantity  of 
gree-grees,  and  set  them  in  a  blaze  ;  and  now  for  Fish- 
town,  where  the  greatest  work  of  destruction  took 
place.     It  being  late  in  the  day,  the  Bishop  preached 

13 


290  DAY   DAWN   IN  AFRICA. 

only  a  short  sermon,  and  the  idol  question  again  came 
up.  We  were  permitted  (assisted  by  two  native 
Christians)  to  destroy  the  idols  of  thirty  houses — also 
the  great  town  gree-gree.  When  we  first  went  to  the 
great  town  god,  they  would  not  let  us  touch  it  by  any 
means  whatever.  However,  the  Bishop  broke  a  piece 
off  of  it,  and  so  did  I,  upon  which  the  people  told  us 
to  be  gone.  We  obeyed,  but  they  called  us  back 
again,  and  said :  '  You  have  broken  it,  take  it  away 
altogether  now.'  The  ark  of  the  true  God  had  arrived, 
and  Dagon's  head  had  fallen  off,  and  shortly  he  was  to 
fall  and  be  doomed  to  the  fire.  Although  very  tired, 
we  felled  Dagon  to  the  ground.  This  was  considered 
their  greatest  idol,  and  the  people  were  very  much 
afraid  of  it.  It  was  growing  late,  and  we  had  to  stop 
our  delightful  work.  We  went  to  the  Mission-house, 
and  eat  a  few  cassavas,  some  rice,  and  a  piece  of  deer. 
*  *  We  found  Mr.  Hoffman  also  tired  down  from 
pulling  down  idols. 

"  We  had  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  evening,  attended 
by  a  great  many  of  the  heathen.  You  know  how  I 
can  endure  hardship.  I  never  was,  while  in  Africa, 
so  exhausted  as  I  was  on  the  evening  of  the  last  fourth 
of  July,  fr om  pulling  down  idols." 


Cljaptu    t  to  mint  ft. 

"  How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet  of  him  that  bring- 
etb  good  tidings,  that  publisheth  peace ;  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of 
good  ;  that  publisheth  salvation." — Isaiah  52:7. 

In  the  early  part  of  this  year  (1857)  the  Bishop 
made  a  proposition  to  the  Foreign  Committee  to  estab- 
lish a  mission  station  on  one  of  the  mountains  in  the 
interior,  above  the  Falls  of  the  Cavalla  river. 

He  had  long  thought  a  station  of  this  kind  very  de- 
sirable, both  for  the  sake  of  affording  a  place  in  the 
highlands  to  which  the  missionaries  might  resort  for 
change  of  air,  when  worn  down  by  hard  labor  in  an 
enervating  climate  ;  and  for  the  gradual  extension  of 
the  work  in  the  interior. 

The  Bishop  was  agreeably  surprised  to  find  that 
while  he  had  been  revolving  in  his  own  mind  the  ex- 
pediency of  establishing  a  station  there,  the  native 
Christians  had  been  discussing  the  matter  among  them- 
selves, and  earnestly  desired  to  have  it  undertaken. 
This  evident  desire  of  the  natives  to  have  the  work 
more  and  more  extended  by  their  own  efforts,  among 
their  benighted  people,  is  a  most  encouraging  feature 
in  the  history  of  our  Mission,  and  is  a  cause  of  grati- 
tude, on  our  part,  to  our  Sovereign  God,  in  whose 
"  hand  are  the  hearts  of  all  men." 

When,  a  few  months  later,  the  Bishop  was  prepared 


292  DAY   DAWN    IN    AFRICA. 

to  open  a  new  station  on  Mt.  Neiea,  sixty  miles  in  the 
interior,  lie  found  two  young  native  Christians,  ready, 
willing,  and  anxious  to  go  forth  and  engage  in  this 
laborious  but  most  blessed  work.  The  account  of  their 
adventures  on  the  way,  and  of  the  opening  and  estab- 
►  lishment  of  this  mountain  station,  will  be  best  given  in 
the  words  of  Bishop  Payne,  who  accompanied  them  to 
the  spot.  In  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  the  United  States, 
under  date  of  April  10th,  1857,  he  says  : 

"Ina  number  of  one  of  our  Church  papers  for  last 
year,  I  noticed  an  article  on  our  African  Mission,  in 
which  the  inquiry  was  made  whether  it  was  contem- 
plated to  establish  missions  in  the  interior.  Had  the 
writer  known  the  missionary  Bishop's  heart  and  his 
principles  of  action,  he  would  not  have  thought  such 
inquiry  necessary.  His  heart  takes  within  the  sphere 
of  its  longing  aspirations  and  endeavors,  Ethiopia  ;  and 
his  settled  principle  of  action  has  been  directed  to 
means  most  effectual,  in  his  judgment,  to  make  the 
mission  under  his  charge,  according  to  grace  given,  the 
instrument  of  spreading  as  wide  as  possible  the  glorious 
Gospel  throughout  this  portion  of  Africa. 

"  What  has  been  that  principle  of  action  ?  All  ex- 
perience had  proved  that  with  us,  and  more  than  in 
other  heathen  countries,  foreigners  must  be  pioneers 
and  apostles  to  clear  the  way,  and  begin  the  work 
which  the  natives  must  carry  on.  And,  further,  that 
foreigners  could  only  live  as  pioneers  under  the  most 
favorable  circumstances,  and  thus  live  long  enough  to 
effect  something  of  consequence.  To  occupy  the  most 
eligible  positions  then,  and  to  raise  up  colonial  or  na- 
tive laborers,  has  been  the  settled  principle  of  action. 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  293 

What  would  it  have  availed  for  the  four  or  five  foreign 
laborers  (for  this  small  number  has  been  the  average 
of  foreign  laborers  connected  with  the  Mission  from  its 
origin)  to  have  gone  into  the  interior,  and  sacrificed 
their  lives  in  a  year  or  two,  as  all  who  have  attempted 
this  mode  of  action  have  done  ?" 

"Has  the  result  justified  our  principle  of  action? 
Four  colonists  and  two  natives  are  ministers  ;  two  colo- 
nists and  three  natives  are  candidates  for  orders ;  sixteen 
colonists  and  natives  are  teachers ;  near  three  hundred 
colonists  and  natives  are  communicants." 

"  But  you  will  ask,  with  such  an  army  are  you  not 
yet  in  a  condition  to  advance  on  the  interior  ?  I 
answer,  Yes.  And  we  have  been  doing  so.  But  it  is 
necessary  to  proceed  with  caution  and  prudence.  The 
coast  people  are  the  commission  merchants,  or  rather 
the  systematic  defrauders  of  the  interior  tribes.  For 
articles  obtained  from  the  foreigner,  they  charge  at 
least  one  hundred  per  cent,  often  more,  to  the  bush 
people,  as  they  are  called.  Hence  the  coast  people  op- 
pose direct  comnmnication  between  foreigners  and  the 
interior  people,  lest  the  latter  should  be  made  aware  of 
the  extent  to  which  they  are  oppressed.  The  foreign 
missionary,  indeed,  carefully  states  that  he  has  no 
business  with  trade  ;  but  the  people  are  slow  to  believe 
this,  and  even  regard  with  suspicion  natives  sent  into 
the  interior  by  foreigners.  But  it  is  by  this  last  means 
that  our  efforts  have  been  made,  and  are  still  being 
made,  in  the  direction  of  the  interior. 

"  In  the  rear  of  Fishtown,  Eocktown,  and  Cape  Pal- 
mas,  our  native  catechists  have  gone  publishing  the 
good  news  in  adjacent  tribes.     But  more  especially 


294  DAY  DAWN   IN  AFKICA. 

from  Cavalla,  has  this  been  done  for  the  past  two 
years. 

"  The  river  Cavalla,  emptying  into  the  sea  near  my 
station,  and  navigable  for  canoes  sixty  miles,  with  a 
teeming  native  population  on  its  banks,  furnishes  great 
facilities  for  this  work.  And  our  native  deacon  Ku 
Sia,  (or  C.  F.  Jones,)  and  catechists,  Brownell,  Yaughan, 
and  Valentine,  have  made  frequent  tours  amongst 
some  twelve  tribes  living  on  and  near  the  river. 

We  have  made  still  further  advances.  About  eight- 
een months  ago,  we  located  a  native  catechist  on  the 
Cavalla  river,  ten  miles  from  its  mouth  ;  and  last  week 
I  left  a  native  catechist,  T.  C.  Brownell,  with  an  assist- 
ant, sixty  miles  in  the  interior,  on  Mt.  Netea,  or  Netea  Lu* 

"  You  will  be  pleased  to  have  a  brief  account  of 
a  journey  to  that  interesting  region.  I  left  home  on 
Monday,  29th  of  March.  Arrived  at  Diima  Lu,  the 
place  of  our  debarkation,  and  left  at  12  o'clock.  Our 
mode  of  conveyance  was  a  canoe,  propelled  by  five 
paddles.      Unfortunately  for  my  professions  of  non- 

t 

*  In  February  last,  Mrs.  Jane  Bohlen,  of  Philadelphia,  a  few  hours 
before  her  death,  expressed  a  wish  that  part  of  her  estate  should  go  "to 
the  cause  of  the  Bible  and  the  Gospel."  The  wish  was  sufficient  to 
guide  the  action  of  her  two  children,  Mr.  John  Bohlen  and  Miss  Cathe- 
rine M.  Bohlen.  After  she  was  taken  from  them,  they  conferred  to- 
gether, and  concluded  that  no  better  method  presented  itself  for  having 
this  desire  answered,  than  by  placing  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  the 
larger  part  of  the  money,  destined  for  this  purpose,  in  the  hands  of  the 
Foreign  Committee,  to  bo  appropriated  by  them  to  the  opening  of  a  new 
station  in  Africa. 

It  is  probable  that  Netea  Lu,  the  place  selected  by  Bishop  Payne 
for  an  interior  station,  will  prove  altogether  suitable  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  large  mission.  The  mission  established  by  this  donation,  will 
be  known  as  the  Bohlen  Mission. 


DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA.  295 

interference  with  trade,  the  natives  who  accompanied 
me,  had  put  in  three  palm  oil  casks,  a  large  quantity 
of  native  manufactured  salt,  and  sundry  other  articles 
of  trade. 

"At  2  o'clock,  we  encountered  a  terrible  storm, 
which  lasted  two  hours,  and  so  wet  my  clothes  that  I 
had  to  haul  up  on  a  muddy  bank  and  change  them. 
Passing  four  Babo  and  three  Nyambo  towns,  which  I 
had  previously  visited,  at  8  o'clock  we  stopped  at  a 
fourth  Nyambo  town  for  refreshments.  The  head-man 
of  the  town  soon  had  all  his  wives  beating  out  rice, 
and  cooking  this  with  some  fowls  for  us.  While  this 
was  going  on,  a  doubtful  friend  brought  me  something 
to  eat,  which  he  called  some  bush  meat,  but  it  had  such 
a  human  aspect  that  I  laid  it  aside,  and  awaited  the  re 
past  which  was  preparing." 

"By  ten  o'clock  we  had  taken  our  supper,  and  were 
ready  to  start.  Start  we  must  at  that  unseasonable 
hour,  because  it  was  important  to  pass  the  next  town 
in  the  night,  as  its  people  had  threatened  to  capture 
any  people  that  they  might  see  coming  from  Cavalla 
upon  some  slight  pretext. 

"  It  was  now  toward  midnight ;  and  we  were  mov- 
ing along  for  two  hour3  through  dark  forests.  I  ob- 
served the  men  were  unusually  silent,  and  that  the 
head-man  whispered  that  he  had  a  story  to  tell 
about  this  place,  after  he  had  got  through  it.  His 
courage  failed,  however,  even  after  he  had  passed  it, 
and  it  was  not  until  our  return,  in  broad  day-light  that 
my  head  krooman,  passing  this  beautiful  part  of  the 
river,  gave  the  following  fearful  acoount : 

" '  In  that  creek   formerly  lived  the  great  dragon 


29G  DAY   DAWN  IN  AFRICA. 

Daside.  He  devoured  men,  women,  and  children, 
every  living  thing  which  passed  this  way ;  swallowing 
canoes  with  their  whole  contents.  Many  were  the  plans 
proposed  to  destroy  the  monster.  This  was  at  length 
adopted  :  a  canoe  was  prepared  ;  in  it  were  put  a  goat 
tied,  and  a  pile  of  heated  stones  ;  and  then  the  canoe 
was  sent  floating  down  the  stream.  As  soon  as  the 
dragon  heard  the  crying  of  the  goat,  he  darted  at  the 
canoe,  and  in  a  moment  swallowed  it  with  its  cargo. 
The  canoe  and  goat  occasioned  no  difficulty ;  but  the 
heated  stones  threw  him  into  an  agony.  He  at  length 
dragged  himself  on  that  bank,  (a  low  strip  of  land  one 
hundred  yards  long,)  and  died.  The  tribes  around 
feasted  on  him,  until  they  were  tired.  But  so  much 
was  left,  and  so  much  oil  ran  from  him,  that  the  trees 
have  never  grown  there  since.  See,'  said  my  inform- 
ant, growing  animated  with  his  subject,  '  although  no 
farms  are  ever  made  in  this  region,  (for  fear  of  Daside' s 
son,  who  still  lives  in  that  smaller  creek,)  no  trees  ever 
grew  where  Daside  died.' 

"We  travelled  until  two  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
By  this  time  the  men  were  exhausted,  and  we  hauled, 
up  by  the  side  of  a  flat  rock,  some  eight  feet  in  diameter. 
A  little  fire  was  kindled ;  I  gathered  around  me  my 
heavy  blue  blanket,  and  in  a  minute  was  fast  asleep  as 
if  on  a  downy  bed.  At  four  o'clock  I  was  aroused  to 
proceed  on  my  journey.  It  proved  to  be  a  wearisome 
one.  With  only  two  hours'  repose  on  the  rock,  the 
men  pulled  wearily  along  under  one  of  the  hottest 
African  suns,  until  about  one  o'clock  P.M.  My  sup- 
ping and  wetting  the  previous  day,  sleeping  in  the 
malaria  on  the  river,  with  the  hot  sun,  created  suffering 


DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA.  297 

and  nausea,  which  only  found  partial  relief  in  profuse 
vomiting.  When,  at  one  o'clock,  we  hauled  up  at  a 
small  Buranh  town,  I  was  exhausted.  The  town  itself 
promised  but  little  relief.  It  had  been  burnt  in  war 
not  long  before,  and  temporary  huts,  not  above  six  or 
eight  feet  in  diameter,  and  three  or  four  feet  high  in- 
side, were  its  only  buildings,  and  not  a  shade  tree  was 
to  be  seen.  I  soon,  however,  got  a  into  hut ;  and  not- 
withstanding the  noise  and  crowding  to  see  the  kube, 
(foreigner,)  I  lay  down  and  slept,  heeding  them  not. 
After  about  one  hour's  repose,  they  brought  me  some 
roasted  corn,  the  only  article  of  food  to  be  procured  in 
the  place.  Thus  strengthened,  I  sat  up  and  preached 
to  the  assembled  people.  My  previous  miserable  feel- 
ings prevented  the  inspiration  which  I  had  otherwise 
felt  at  the  sight  of  peaks  of  the  mountains,  which  had 
just  before  appeared  towering  upon  the  horizon.  They 
were  the  famous  pair,  Panh  and  Gero,  (rising  up  amidst 
lower  peaks,  and  divided  only  by  the  Cavalla  river,) 
which  we  were  approaching. 

Until  this  time  the  river  scenery,  though  every  where 
beautiful,  had  presented  no  great  variety ;  but  now  we 
were  entering  the  mountians,  and  sudden  turns,  with 
bold  cliffs,  hill  peeping  over  hill,  and  mountain  over 
mountain,  every  where  clothed  in  verdure,  rose  in 
quick  succession.  "We  had  hoped  to  get  through  the 
mountain  pass  before  night,  but  it  was  decided  at  last 
to  stop  at  the  town  of  Dama,  of  the  Baremurebo  tribe, 
for  the  night. 

"  The  village  in  which  we  were  to  pass  the  night  is 
beautiful  for  situation.  It  lies  on  a  table  land,  just  at 
the  foot  of  Mt.  Gero,  on  the  north,  while  on  the  oppo- 

13* 


298  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

site  side,  there  is  a  range  of  commanding  heights  and 
hills.  King  Damo  was  absent  when  we  arrived,  but 
his  brother  and  the  people  gave  us  the  most  lively  re- 
ception. The  drums  beat,  and  the  women  danced  at 
the  kube's  arrival.  And  soon  after,  Damo  himself  ar- 
riving, he  commanded  them  to  beat  more  earnestly  and 
to  dance,  while  he,  with  a  trumpeter  by  his  side,  to  re- 
peat his  words,  gave  expression  to  his  own  feelings." 

"  After  the  excitement  had  abated,  the  people  were 
called  to  hear  the  Gospel.  It  was  gratifying,  I  said,  to 
be  so  kindly  received ;  but  if  they  knew  what  manner 
of  message  I  had  brought  them,  they  would  still  more 
rejoice. 

"  The  services  over,  we  sat  out  in  the  bright  moon- 
light night.  Thomas  Brownell,  a  native  catechist, 
proposed  to  sing  from  "Greenland's  icy  Mountains," 
and,  I  am  sure,  with  me  he  deeply  felt  the  sad  truth  of 
the  lines: 

"  Every  prospect  pleases,  and  only  man  is  vile." 

"  It  was  late  when  I  placed  my  blanket  and  mat  on 
the  mud  floor  of  the  little  room  assigned  for  the  night. 
I  slept  most  soundly,  until  aroused  by  my  self-import- 
ant host,  next  morning,  trumpeting  his  own  praises. 
About  seven  o'clock  we  had  another  service,  and  after 
receiving  a  dash  (present)  of  a  goat  from  Damo,  we  re- 
embarked  in  our  canoe. 

"Immediately  after  leaving  Damons  town,  we  turned 
suddenly  to  the  north,  and  our  way  lead  us  directly 
between  the  towering  peaks  of  Panh  and  Gero,  to  the 
right  and  left.  The  pass  here — about  a  mile  long — is 
grand  in  the  extreme.     Going  through  this,  we  again 


DAY   DAWN  IN   AFRICA.  299 

turned  to  the  east,  and  encountered  the  first  rapids. 
The  river  runs  here  along  the  base  of  the  Panh,  and  in 
some  places  has  so  strong  a  current,  as  to  make  it  ne- 
cessary to  drag  the  canoes  along.  Safely  above  these 
rapids,  we  again  turned  north,  and  now  we  are  in  full 
view  of  the  falls.  The  river  here  spread  out  about 
three  fourths  of  a  mile,  and,  divided  into  five  or  six 
separate  streams,  comes  dashing  and  foaming  over  the 
rocks,  through  emerald  islands  and  islets,  in  indescri- 
bable beauty.  Making  our  way  with  difficulty  just 
below  these  cataracts,  we  reached  the  small  town  of 
Vinhi,  about  eleven  o'clock  A.M.  After  holding  ser- 
vice here,  we  hastened  to  our  place  of  destination, 
Netea  Lu.     We  arrived  there  at  one  o'clock. 

"And  now,  in  attempting  to  describe  this  place,  I 
shall  be  suspected,  I  know,  of  extravagance.  But,  in- 
deed, it  is  difficult  to  commit  this  error  in  speaking  of 
a  place  where  God  has  done  so  much. 

"Netea  Lu,  or  Mt.  Netea,  is  an  isolated  hill,  of  some- 
what a  sugar-loaf  form,  rising  abruptly  three  or  four 
hundred  feet  high,  having  on  its  summit  a  sufficiently 
large  space  for  a  native  town.  It  stands  immediately 
in  the  rear  of  the  mountains  Panh  and  Gero,  through 
which  it  looks  down  upon  the  river  towards  the  sea. 
But  its  peculiar  beauty  is,  that  it  is  one  of  those  innu- 
merable mountains  or  hills,  over  and  through  which  it 
commands  a  view  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  north, 
south,  east,  and  west.  And  on  and  among  these  hills, 
appears  to  be  a  country,  which,  for  fertility  and  pic- 
turesque scenery,  your  own  valley  of  Virginia  can 
hardly  surpass. 

"  It  was  on  this  splendid  site  that  I  passed  my  third 


300  DAY  DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

night  after  leaving  home.  The  next  morning  a  scene 
presented  itself,  which,  though  perhaps  not  uncommon 
in  mountains,  was  quite  novel  to  me — almost  sublime. 
We  appeared  during  the  night,  to  have  floated  away 
into  the  wide  ocean,  and  our  hill,  with  multitudes  of 
others,  seemed  like  islands  of  various  aj)pearances  and 
dimensions,  crowned  with  towns  and  castles.  It  was 
a  dense  fog  covering  all  except  the  tops  of  the  innu- 
merable hills  and  mountains  scattered  around. 

"The  town  of  Netea  Lu  has  a  population  of  about 
three  thousand.  It  is  the  principal  and  capital  town 
of  a  tribe,  with  its  branches,  numbering  fifty  thousand, 
while,  in  its  rear,  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  are  nu- 
merous other  tribes,  holding  with  it  constant  inter- 
course. 

"  Such  is  the  commanding  position  at  which,' 
through  God's  blessing,  we  have  now  commenced  a 
missionary  station.  Here,  on  Friday,  April  3d,  com- 
mending them  to  God,  I  left  Thomas  Brownell,  native 
catechist  and  candidate  for  Orders,  and  his  assistant, 
Francis  Hoskins.  The  people  received  them  kindly, 
and  I  am  thankful  to  learn  by  a  letter  from  the  cate- 
chist, received  since  this  was  commenced,  that  the 
kindness  rrnd  interest  of  the  people  continues.  An  ex- 
tract from  this  letter  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  you  : 

'"Netea  Lu,  Webo,  April,  1857. 
"  '  Dear  Pastor  :  Every  morning  and  evening,  in 
Kanemds  (his  host's)  house,  prayer  is  never  neglected. 
I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  calling  the  people  together 
in  this  house.  A  portion  of  a  chapter  is  read,  and  then 
J  talk  to  them  ;  then  offer  up  prayer  to  God  that  the 


DAY   DAWX   IN   AFRICA.  801 

seed  sown  may  sink  deep  into  their  hearts,  and  may, 
by  the  influence  of  the  Spirit,  bring  forth  fruit  worthy 
of  acceptance.  I  always  have  a  large  congregation, 
composed  of  many  young  men,  and  also  a  few  old  men 
and  children,  and  women.  Last  Sunday  services  were 
held  in  the  Yibadias'  (head  of  the  sedibo,  or  free  citizens) 
house,  it  being  the  largest  in  town.  It  was  filled  by 
the  people.  I  addressed  them  from  John  3  :  14,  15. 
The  people  were  very  attentive.  And  no  doubt  God, 
who  has  said,  "  There  shall  be  one  fold  and  one  shep- 
herd," shall  gather  together  some  of  His  sheep  who 
have  not  been  put  into  the  fold,  who  are  here  in  this 
region.  After  this  service  was  over,  we  went  to  an- 
other town  called  Tiyide.  The  distance  is  about  four 
and  a  half  miles.  We  had  a  large  congregation,  and 
they  listened  attentively.  After  service,  the  head-man 
of  the  town  said  we  must  sleep  there,  for  some  more 
people  were  on  their  farms,  for  whom  we  must  have 
service  at  night.  When  I  saw  that  they  were  very- 
anxious  to  hear  more  at  night,  I  granted  their  request. 
Well,  at  night  I  had  a  larger  congregation  than  I  had 
before.  The  seed  was  sown  in  their  hearts,  and  our 
eyes  were  unto  God  to  give  the  increase.  On  the 
morrow  morning  they  came  and  begged  me  to  have 
service.  But  I  was  not  able  to  do  it  at  all.  My  head 
was  very  sick  on  that  day.  So  the  thirsty  people  not 
hearing  the  Gospel,  went  away  without  any  spiritual 
water. 

"  'In  thinking  of  this  great  work  which  God  has  set 
apart  for  us,  worms  of  the  dust,  frail  to  do  good,  I  feel 
three  things:  first,  shame  ;  second,  thankfulness  ;  third, 
gladness.     I  feel  shame  because  I  am  a  poor,  miserable 


302  DAY   DAWN   IN   AFRICA. 

sinner,  a  worm  and  no  man,  the  outcast  of  noble  and 
principal  men,  And  am  I,  such  a  miserable  sinner,  the 
chief  of  sinners,  chosen  by  God  to  go  and  look  for  His 
lost  sheep  ?  And  second,  I  feel  gladness,  because  God 
has  chosen  me  to  this  work.  Now,  if  Queen  Victoria 
had  chosen  a  poor  person,  and  sent  him  somewhere  to 
take  possession  of  some  country,  would  not  he  feel  glad 
because  he  was  chosen  by  the  Queen  to  do  that  work  ? 
How  much,  then,  if  God  has  sent  us  forth  to  do  His 
work  ?  The  work  is  now  before  us.  And  shall  we  feel 
discouraged  while  the  promise  is :  "  He  that  turneth 
many  to  righteousness,  shall  shine  as  the  stars  forever 
and  ever?"  *  *  *  "The  gods  that  have  not  made  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  they  shall  perish  from  under 
the  heavens  and  on  the  earth." 

" '  Thomas  Beownell.' 

"  Such,  dear  brother,  is  the  Mission  commenced ; 
such  is  the  agent  employed.  And  now  will  you  not 
cooperate  with  us  ?  Would  to  God  you  could  send 
us  some  faithful  co-laborer  with  this  young  but  devout 
African  catechist.  Yours  in  Christ, 

"  John  Payne." 

From  this  interesting  letter,  we  find  that  the  Mission 
field  in  Western  Africa  is  still  widening.  The  day 
dawn  is  now  stealing  over  its  borders,  and  if  faithful 
laborers  will  but  go  forth  to  the  aid  of  the  feeble  band 
in  the  field,  now  bending  beneath  their  heavy  burdens, 
the  "Sun  of  Eighteousness"  will,  ere  long,  shine  in 
noon-tide  glory,  into  the  very  heart  of  this  large,  dark, 
and  unhappy  continent. 


DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA.  303 

The  traveller,  the  sailor,  and  the  trader  have  long 
been  there,  penetrating  every  accessible  portion  of  that 
mysterious  land,  and  freely  risking  health  and  life  in 
the  eager  pursuit  of  wealth  and  fame.  And  shall  the 
soldier  of  the  Cross  be  less  courageous  ?  Shall  he,  with 
the  last,  earnest,  emphatic  command  of  his  ascended 
Lord  appealing  to  his  conscience,  turn  a  deaf  ear,  and 
leave  Airic's  millions  to  perish  in  their  ignorance,  be- 
cause in  obeying  his  Master's  behest  he  may  probably 
sustain  detriment  to  his  health  ?  Oh !  not  so,  reasons 
the  world's  soldier.  Trul}r,  "  the  children  of  this  world 
are  wiser  in  their  generation  than  the  children  of 
light." 

"But,"  urge  some  over-prudent  Christians,  "it  is 
cruel  to  send  people  to  Africa  to  sicken  and  die  ;  it  is 
an  unnecessary  waste  of  health  and  life." 

Hear  what  one,  who  has  for  twenty  years  nobly  de- 
voted every  energy  of  his  mind  and  body  to  the  work 
of  Africa's  redemption,  says  to  this  view  of  the  matter. 
Our  beloved  Bishop,  in  answer  to  an  objection  of  this 
nature,  thus  writes : 

"  It  is  not  cruel,  notwithstanding  all  our  losses,  for 
others  to  come,  and  to  come  more  and  more.  For  then 
it  were  cruel  for  our  dear  Saviour  to  have  come  to 
earth  to  suffer,  bleed,  and  die.  It  were  cruel  for  His 
Apostles  to  have  followed  in  His  footsteps.  Ay,  the 
labors,  sacrifices,  and  deaths  for  Jesus'  sake,  of  the 
suffering  Church  through  her  long  history,  evermore 
;  filling  up  that  which  is  behind  of  the  sufferings  of 
Christ,'  have  been  one  long  system  of  cruelty.  Nay, 
verily,  away  with  such  principles.  They  are  not 
Christian.     It  is  ignorant  Peter  selfishly  rebuking  the 


S04  DAY   DAWN   IX   AFRICA. 

Saviour,  who  would  die  for  him — '  Be  it  far  from  thee, 
Lord,  this  shall  not  be  unto  thee.'  It  is  the  hypocriti- 
cal economy  of  the  world,  only  manifesting  itself  when 
expenditure  for  Christ's  sake  is  the  object,  saying,  I  To 
what  purpose  is  this  waste  ?'  Nay,  more,  it  would  de- 
stroy the  name  of  Christian  ;  for  Jesus  said:  'Whoso- 
ever will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take 
up  his  cross  and  follow  me.'  It  would  rob  him  of  his 
present  blessedness  and  his  future  glorious  reward. 
'  They  that  leave  all  shall  receive  manifold  more  in 
this  life  ;'  'if  we  suffer  with  Him,  we  shall  also  reign 
with  Him.'  Ay,  such  principles  are  cruel,  for  they 
would  leave  countless  numbers  of  heathen  to  perish ; 
for  how  can  they  call  on  Him  of  whom  they  have  not 
heard,  and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher, 
and  how  shall  they  preach  except  they  be  sent  ?" 

There  are  two  significant  facts  in  the  history  of  Afri- 
can Missions,  which  should  encourage  laborers  to  go 
forth.  One  is,  that,  "constrained  by  the  love  of 
Christ,"  men  of  the  most  cultivated  minds,  and  women 
of  the  highest  refinement,  have  gone  to  that  barbarous 
land,  that  outcast  of  the  nations,  and  made  for  them- 
selves not  only  homes  that  they  could  merely  tole- 
rate, but  such  as  they  could  love  and  cherish ;  and 
there,  year  after  year,  have  continued  patiently  and 
cheerfully  to  labor  for  their  Master ;  esteeming  it  their 
greatest  earthly  privilege  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  His 
service.  The  other  is  the  undeniable  fact,  that  in  no 
other  part  of  the  heathen  world  is  there  evinced  so  much 
willingness  to  hear  the  Gospel,  as  in  Africa.  "  Ethiopia 
is  now  stretching  forth  her  hands  unto  God,"  whom, 
through  the  mists  of  superstition,  she  sees,  as  yet,  afar 


DAY   DAWN    IX   AFRICA.  305 

off.  Happy  and  honorable,  in  the  eternal  Kingdom, 
will  they  be  who  shall  aid  her  in  taking  even  one  feeble 
step  towards  her  unknown  Saviour.  And  surely, 
while  God  and  the  heathen  are  loudly  crying,  "  Ad- 
vance — tell  to  the  countless  thousands  still  sitting  in 
darkness,"  the  story  of  redeeming  love;  the  Church 
will  not  say  :  "Hold  back,  retrench;  it  is  an  unneces- 
sary waste  of  men  and  means."  She  will  rather,  with 
the  aggressive  spirit  which  distinguished  her  glorious 
Founder,  and  his  long  succession  of  Apostles,  bid  her 
sons  go  on,  and  on,  and  on,  to  battle  with  the  powers 
of  darkness,  until,  from  earth's  remotest  corner,  shall 
go  forth  myriads  of  redeemed  souls,  to  swell  the  chorus 
of  the  "  Song  of  the  Lamb." 

"  Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  Thy  blood, 
Out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation  ; 
And  hast  made  us  unto  our  God  kings  and  priests."  *  *  *  * 

"  Blessing,  honor,  glory,  and  power,  be  unto  Him  that  sittcth  upon  the 
throne, 
And  uuto  the  Lamb  forever  and  ever." 


APPENDIX. 


WITCHCRAFT.-S  ASS  A-WOOD . 

"  I  will  break  up  this  system,  at  the  risk  of  life," 
said  a  beloved  brother  missionary  as  he  returned  from 
the  midst  of  an  enraged  mob,  who  were  killing  a  fel- 
low-creature by  the  poisonous  gidu,  and  dragging  him 
about  on  the  beach. 

"And  the  system,  in  theory  and  practice,  is  horrible 
enough,  no  doubt.  To  assume  that  a  deadly  poison  is 
a  test  of  crime,  and  to  subject  any  one  to  its  influence 
whom  suspicion,  prejudice,  or  the  word  of  a  deya  (de- 
mon-man) may  bring  under  accusation ;  to  treat  all 
such  as  are  so  accused  as  guilty  until  they  have  cast 
off  the  imputation  by  drinking  the  deadly  poison,  and 
to  rail  upon,  drag  them  about,  and  insult  them,  when 
under  its  influence,  and  after  their  death — all  this  is 
certainly  very  bad. 

"But  the  Greboes  say  it  is  more  horrible  still  to  con- 
fine men,  as  foreigners  do,  in  jails  for  months  and 
years,  and  then  to  hang  tJiem  tip  by  a  rope,  or  to  cut 
off  thtir  heads. 

"It  is  true,  in  these  last  cases  they  are  told  that  the 
case  is  fairly  tried,  and  guilt  proved  by  sufficient  evi- 


308  APPENDIX. 

clence,  before  the  punishment  is  inflicted.  And  so,  the 
Greboes  will  say,  are  those  whom  we  treat,  on  our 
principles,  guilty ;  or  if  not  actually  so  proved  to  be, 
we  give  them  an  opportunity  to  escape  if  innocent. 

"Without  admitting  such  principles  or  conclusions,  it 
would  be  well  for  those  who  are  suddenly  transplanted 
from  Christendom  to  heathendom,  before  proceeding  to 
judge  or  act  in  reference  to  the  latter,  to  attend  dili- 
gently to  such  inquiries  as  these :  What  is  witchcraft  ? 
How  far  it  is  practised  ?  and  how  far  the  checks  to  it 
should  be  interfered  with,  while  the  system  is  believed 
and  practised  ? 

"One  of  the  most  enlightened  Grebo  kings  we  have 
ever  known,  in  endeavoring  to  rescue  a  man  who  was 
about  to  be  subjected  to  the  trial  by  gidu,  was  heard 
thus  to  preface  his  address  :  "  Every  man  and  woman 
who  comes  into  the  world  is  a  wedia,  (literally,  eater  of 
witchcraft,)  though  every  man  does  not  practise  it  to 
his  fellow's  injury."  Here  then  is  the  theory.  Every 
one  possesses  the  power  by  some  peculiar  gifts,  natural 
or  acquired,  of  injuring  secretly  in  various  degrees, 
even  unto  death  ;  or  of  benefiting  in  the  same  manner. 
He  who  exerts  it  for  the  good  of  himself,  or  his  people, 
or  to  the  injury  of  the  people's  enemies,  is  a  good  man. 
He  who  exerts  it  to  the  injury  of  his  people,  is  a  bad 
man.  Wonderful  are  the  powers  of  these  mysterious 
wcdioh,  (witchcraft  eaters.)  They  can  affect  the  air, 
earth,  sea,  vegetable,  bodies,  and  souls  of  men.  They 
blight  vegetation,  cause  the  sun  to  shine,  give  or  re- 
strain rain,  afflict  bodies  with  boils,  diseases  of  all  kinds, 
bring  devils  into  the  souls  of  men. 

"How  this  power  is  exerted,  all  are  disinclined  to 


APPENDIX.  309 

explain,  because  probably  all  nearly  practise  the  system 
in  one  way  or  other.  But  the  more  unguarded  do 
sometimes  declare  it.  An  evil  eye,  preparation  of 
leaves,  or  mud,  or  rock,  placed  near  the  house  or  farm 
of  the  party  to  be  affected,  running  naked  through  the 
villages,  dancing  in  the  same  state  at  the  graves  of 
those  whose  death  they  have  caused,  throwing  stones 
at  the  houses  of  those  who  are  already  sick  and  dying 
under  their  potent  spells — these,  by  common  consent, 
are  some  of  the  ways  and  means  of  witches  and  wizards. 

"In  these  acts  many  are  caught,  and  therefore  subjected 
to  trial  by  giilu.  But  can  they  by  such  means  produce 
the  effects  they  seek  ?  Except  in  a  few  cases — where 
the  imagination  produces  fatal  effects  upon  the  bodies 
of  the  objects  of  witchcraft — certainly  not.  But  if  the 
intention 'is  thus  to  injure  and  to  kill,  are  actors  not  as 
guilty  as  if  they  actually  accomplished  their  designs  ? 

"And  that  there  is  a  very  common  practice  of  such 
witchcraft,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe.  There  are 
few  fights — scarcely  any  open  murders — amongst  the 
Greboes,  or  Africans,  generally  of  this  region.  And 
yet  they  are  almost  universally  jealous,  envious,  quar- 
relsome, malicious,  and  revengeful — revengeful  in  every 
case  possible.  How  otherwise  do  they  gratify  these  ma- 
licious, revengeful,  murderous  feelings,  except  by 
witchcraft  ? 

"And  if  so,  until  they  become,  through  the  influence 
of  Christianity,  changed  in  the  spirit  of  their  mind,  and 
in  the  absence  of  other  modes  of  punishment,  may  not 
the  administration  of  gidu  exert  a  salutary  influence  in 
restraining  crime  ?  Can  it  be  wholly  laid  aside  until 
the  people  are  prepared  for  the  introduction  of  civilized 
modes  of  trial  and  punishment? 


310  APPENDIX. 

PHYSICAL    CHARACTER    OF    THE    INTERIOR    OF    AFRICA,   BE- 
TWEEN CAPE  PALMAS  AND  MONROVIA. 

"The  explorations  of  foreigners,  and  information  de- 
rived from  natives,  enable  us  now  to  determine,  almost 
"with  perfect  precision,  the  physical  character  of  this 
region,  to  the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

"From  the  St.  Paul's  river,  emptying  into  the  ocean 
five  miles  above  Monrovia,  to  the  Cavalla,  which  finds 
its  outlet  fifteen  miles  below  Cape  Palmas,  there  are 
perhaps  a  dozen  considerable  streams.  These  streams 
are  navigable  for  canoes  or  boats,  to  a  distance  averag- 
ing from  ten  to  sixty  miles,  when  they  uniformly  meet 
with  obstructions  from  hills  and  mountains  of  greater 
or  less  elevation. 

"The  general  aspect  of  the  country  within  this  range, 
is  almost  uniformly  undulating,  beautiful,  and  fertile. 
Where  the  obstructions  are  found,  the  hills  and  moun- 
tains increase  in  number  and  elevation,  some  of  them 
rising  to  several  thousand  feet.  They  form  a  well- 
defined  chain  along  the  whole  region  above  designated, 
running  east  and  west,  and  in  several  places  are  dis 
tinctly  visible  from  the  coast. 

"  This  is  the  case  all  along  from  Monrovia  to  New- 
Cesters,  a  distance  of  a  hundred  miles.  Also  at  several 
other  points  between  the  last  place  and  Cape  Palmas. 
Much  higher  mountains  than  those  seen  from  the  coast 
are  reported  by  native  travellers  from  the  interior. 
Thus  the  mountain  Gede,  referred  to  in  another  place, 
towers  proudly  above  all  his  neighbors,  giving  rise,  by 
his  preeminent  height,  to  many  strange,  mysterious 
ideas. 


APPENDIX.  311 

uThis  mountain  range  uniformly  turns  the  rivers 
referred  to,  and  their  tributaries,  in  an  easterly  and 
westerly  direction.  Thus  branches  of  the  Cavalla  and 
Sinoe  rivers  have  almost  a  common  source.  And  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  this  water-shed  bears  the  same  re- 
lation to  the  rivers  which  have  been  referred  to,  and  the 
great  Niger,  with  its  tributaries,  as  do  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains to  the  rivers  emptying  into  the  Pacific  on  the  one 
side,  and  the  Mississippi  and  its  branches  on  the  other. 

"Between  this  mountain-chain  and  the  sea,  the  people 
in  their  main  features  of  language  and  physical  appear- 
ance, manner  of  life,  and  government,  are  much  alike ; 
and  there  is  generally  intercourse  between  them  from 
the  coast  to  the  mountain,  though  it  is  not  so  general 
latterly.  But  in  no  case  do  the  coast  people,  or  indeed 
any  others  south  of  the  range,  (except,  perhaps,  some 
near  Bassa  Cove,)  have  intercourse  beyond  the  moun- 
tains. 

''There  is  no  doubt,  however,  that  immediately  be- 
yond this  ridge  there  is  intercourse  amongst  the  people 
along  its  entire  extent.  A  curious  but  most  conclusive 
proof  of  this  was  furnished  quite  recently.  An  insane 
emigrant  landed  at  Monrovia,  was  under  the  delusion 
that  he  was  called  to  go  thence  on  a  pilgrimage  to  Je- 
rusalem. Setting  off  with  his  son  and  wife,  (the  latter 
soon  turned  back,)  he  pushed  straight  forward  into  the 
interior.  Three  months  or  more  passed  when  the 
Governor  at  Cape  Coast  Castle  informed  the  Governor 
of  Liberia,  that  this  man  and  his  son  were  at  Coonaissc, 
in  the  Ashantee  tribe.  The  father  died  soon  after 
reaching  that  place,  but  the  son  was  taken  back  safely 
to  Monrovia." 


312  APPENDIX. 


AFRICAN    PROVERBS. 


1.  Save  me  from  my  friends. 
A  hede  nd  pambwe  ah  jd  biyo. 

"He  takes  him  from  the  trap  after  the  manner  of  the 
black  ant" 

The  trap  ja  is  set  to  catch  rats.  The  black  ant 
pambwe  finds  the  rat  in  the  trap,  and  offers  to  help  him 
out.  It  begins  to  pull  at  his  tail,  then  eats  it ;  and  so 
with  the  legs  and  body,  until  all  is  consumed. 

2.  Deliver  from  trouble  before  you  punish. 
Ha  hya  ai,  pie  ne  pe  nd  kpanh  ke. 

"  Take  the  child  from  the  water  before  you  slap 
him." 

A  child  wantonly  goes  into  the  sea,  and  is  in  immi- 
nent danger  of  drowning.  But  punish  him  not  in  the 
water,  lest  you,  instead  of  saving  him,  aid  in  his  de 
struction. 

3.  Answer  an  enemy  warily. 
A  yeola  mo  nd,  gi  ah  brubwe. 

"He  inquires  of  me,  as  the  leopard  inquired  of  the 
bird  brubwe." 

The  bird  brubwe,  of  sedentary  habits,  was  found  to- 
wards evening  by  the  leopard,  who  asked :  "  Will  you 
sleep  here  to-night?"  Brubwe  answered  :  "  Oh  !  yes ; 
here,  or  any  where."  The  leopard  returned,  and 
pounced  upon  the  place,  supposing  brubwe  was  there. 
But  she  had  taken  care  to  sro  elsewhere. 


APPENDIX.  313 


DEATH    OF   MRS.   ANNA    M.   PAYNE. 

Since  this  work  has  gone  to  the  press,  the  painful 
intelligence  has  reached  us  that  the  beloved  wife  of 
our  Bishop  has  passed  away  from  earth.  Mrs:  Payne, 
after  many  months  of  patient  suffering,  died,  in  great 
peace,  at  Cavalla,  Dec.  4th,  1857. 

We  feel  that  a  work  of  this  kind  will  not  be  com- 
plete without  some  notice  of  the  gifted  and  devoted 
woman,  who  for  more  than  twenty  years  so  faithfully 
sustained  her  husband  in  his  arduous  labors ;  and  now 
that  her  modesty  can  no  longer  be  pained  by  human 
praise,  we  hesitate  not,  in  announcing  her  death,  to 
speak  of  her  many  virtues,  her  eminent  Christian 
graces.  Few  women  have  ever  possessed  a  more  self- 
sacrificing  spirit ;  few  have  been  enabled  for  so  many 
years — during  which  consumption  was  making  ravages 
upon  her  delicate  frame — to  persevere,  as  did  she,  in  a 
regular  course  of  laborious  duties,  in  the  most  enervat- 
ing climate  on  the  globe.  How  determinedly  she  re- 
pressed every  symptom  of  languor  and  pain,  and  went 
about  with  cheerful  face  and  willing  hands  "  to  do  all 
that  she  could,"  her  brothers  and  sisters  in  the  Mission 
can  never  forget.  Her  noble  resolution  to  remain 
alone  and  labor  in  a  heathen  land,  while  her  husband 
crossed  the  ocean,  (at  the  call  of  the  Church  to  be  con- 
secrated Bishop,)  will  long  be  remembered  in  her  praise 
by  those  who  surrounded  her,  and  saw  how  bravely 
she  combated  with  pain  and  trials  during  the  lonely 
hours  of  separation.  It  was  hoped  when,  three  years 
since,  she  returned  in  renewed  strength  from  her  visit 


314  APPENDIX. 

to  the  United  States,  that  she  would  be  spared  many 
more  years  to  brighten  her  husband's  pathway  and  to 
labor  for  the  Mission  ;  but  God,  in  His  providence,  has 
ordered  it  otherwise.  The  happy  Cavalla  home  is  no 
longer  cheered  by  her  presence.  The  tones  of  her 
sweet  melodeon  are  no  more  heard  at  eventide  to  soothe 
the  minds  and  bodies  wearied  by  the  toils  of  the  day. 
Her  companion  has  now  no  friend  to  whom,  assured  of 
sympathy,  he  can  in  every  emergency  turn.  Her  peo- 
ple sadly  come  to  the  place  "  which  will  know  her  no 
more  forever,"  and  long  in  vain  for  her  cheering  words 
and  her  benevolent  gifts.  Truly  their  loss  is  great,  but 
how  blessed  the  exchange  of  the  one  who  has  gone  to 
hear  from  her  beloved  Eedeemer  the  welcome  words : 
"  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant !  Enter  thou 
into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 


Date  Due 


«*MNM(» 


I 


BUS  Africa;  or,  Progress  of  the 
Princeton  Theolog.cal  *****£  J  Jjjjjf, 


1012  00019  0522 


